Finding a New Home with Laura

If you’re thinking about buying a home, the first thing you should do is focus on exactly what you're looking for. Start by establishing your priorities in these three areas:

1. 1. Location: How will the location of schools, shops and transportation affect your choice of neighborhoods?
   2. Personal tastes: How large a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? On what kind of lot?
   3. Budget: How much home is wise for you to own?

There is also the question of whether or not to buy a new home. New homes tend to have more spacious living and family rooms, and they’re generally easier to maintain. However, many homes built years ago offer more total space for the money and larger yards. Taxes may also be lower.

Many people are charmed by the character of an older home, but deterred by potential maintenance costs. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's Home Protection Plan gives you a safety net for unexpected repairs on many home systems and appliances for a full year or more after you move in.

If you’re thinking of buying a new construction home, there are other matters to take into account. To find the communities that I serve you can simply click on the "Communities" tab to see which towns you are particularly interested in. I can and do handle NEW CONSTRUCTION in every community within the Broward County, East Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach areas!

Resources & tools

Provide as many details as possible about what you have in mind. This will help me determine which properties to send to you matching your specific criteria. With me by your side, you can be rest assured you will find the right home for you and your family.

On the road: looking at homes

When we go out to look at homes, I suggest bringing the following items along:

• Notebook and pen for note-taking
• Flashlight for seeing enclosed areas
• Tape measure for checking room sizes, clearance, etc.
• Camera to help you remember details about the home

I will provide detailed information about each home you see. With that being said, don’t be afraid to snoop around a little. You will want to find out as much as possible. Sellers understand that because their home is on the market, it will be looked over pretty thoroughly.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you may have – about specific rooms and features or functions. Pay particular attention to areas that could become problematic, such as additions, defects and areas that may have been repaired. As a potential buyer, you have the right to know.

If you want to go back to a home for another look, I will be happy to schedule a second appointment for us.

If you find any Open Houses with the criteria that you want I will bring you to view those as well.

8 questions to ask when looking at a home

People buy homes for many reasons: to be closer to their jobs, get extra space for a growing family, downsize, or other lifestyle changes. With your own reasons in mind, consider the following questions:

1. Is there enough room for you now and in the near future?
2. Is the home's floor plan right for your family?
3. Is there enough storage space?
4. Will you have to replace the appliances?
5. Is the yard the right size for you?
6. Are there enough bathrooms?
7. How much maintenance or upgrading will you need to do right away or later?
8. Will your furniture work in this home?

Finding the right home for you

There is no set number of homes you should look at before you decide to make an offer on one. The perfect home may be waiting for you on your first visit. If it isn't, the house-hunting process will help you get a feel for the homes in the community and create your “short list.”

If you're looking in more than one community, try to make the most of each house-hunting trip. Stop by the local chamber of commerce to pick up promotional literature. You can also ask me for welcome kits, maps and information about schools, churches and recreational facilities.

HAPPY HOUSE HUNTING WITH LAURA SWANBERG!

I can be personally or virtually at your service and would love to assist you with all of your real estate needs! Whether you are buying, selling, or renting, I can help you with any type of transaction. Feel free to call me or send a text to me on my mobile phone at 954-647-3694 or click on the “Contact Laura” tab on my website. You can also email me to: laura.swanberg@floridamoves.com.