From the moment you decide to buy or sell a home you will have a lot of decisions to make. When you decide that it is time to buy you must decide on a lender and get pre-qualified. The lender will offer you what he deems to be the best loan program for you based on your circumstances. And so it begins. Is the offered loan program really the best one for you? You might decide to put more money down or change the length of the loan to adjust terms. The decision, after all is said and done, is up to you. What are you most comfortable with? In most relationships there is one member that is more active in the couple’s financial affairs. That person is usually the one that makes the ultimate loan program decision, but once in a while the other partner gets a feeling about something and they chime in with their opinion. At this point you haven’t even begun selecting a home, or maybe even a location for a home. Selecting the home gets really interesting. How big of a home do you need? Who wants what? Will a large garage do, or do you need a workshop? Is the kitchen big enough for a “company in the kitchen” lifestyle? Does each child get a bedroom, or will the 17-year-old be compromised until she goes off to college next year? These are just the obvious elements that need a decision, but the important thing to realize is who will drive the decisions? There will be repair or remodeling decisions to be made. If the home doesn’t quite fit, can you make it work at a reasonable cost and minimal hassle? The hassle factor is a big influence in many decisions in real estate. Anything can be modified to fit your desires, but at what cost and hassle? Measure that and you will be able to make a good decision that will maintain harmony in your life. Yes, it can be measured. Your agent can often help you establish time frames and costs of modifying the property to your wants and needs. You will also have basic decisions to make like inspections to hire done, what to do with the inspection results, when to move into the property, etc. Each is important at the time it is made and contributes to the overall experience you have in your escrow process. Decide to do your escrow responsibilities in a timely manner and you will reduce the potential for frustrating delays or renegotiating of salient issues along the way. Make informed decisions, but don’t delay them. Prompt decision making is an important part of conducting business and buying and selling your home is a business transaction. Along the way you may get input from your attorney, accountant, inspectors, potential neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, etc. Everyone is looking out for you and has an idea. Gather their input and always remember that it is ultimately your decision. You are the one who will pay for and live in the property. Make the right decisions so you are happy with them and the property and the circumstances of your acquisition. The old saying “A happy wife is a happy life!” really applies to buying a home. Of course the opposite is true as well. Don’t find yourself making solo decisions that may compromise the harmony of your matrimonial relationship. Evaluate what is important and pick your battles. Most transactions result in a negotiated settlement between the parties so all get what they want, or don’t give up too much in the process. A home purchase is a big decision and should be made with longevity in mind. The home should work well for you during the time you anticipate living in it, however long that may be. Don’t tire along the way as you progress from inception of the buy/sell concept to a successful conclusion. You are making important decisions so keep doing the work and you’ll be pleased with the results. When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com
