Oakland has so many homes and neighborhoods to choose from. Whether you want to live in Rockridge, Redwood Heights, or the Trestle Glen neighborhood, there are some steps that you can take to make sure that the time that you spend house hunting is truly productive, and that you end up with the best home that you can afford.
The first step for most serious home buyers is to begin to search the Internet for all the various web sites listing homes for sale. It is a good first step, because it begins to give you an idea of what is immediately available. As your agent, I need to have a sense of what you want in your next home. It is helpful if you create a list for me using the following criteria:
1. The Must Haves--These are features that you really won't live without, and are sure that you can afford to pay for in purchasing your new home. It may be 3 bedrooms or 2 baths, a back yard, a recreation room, etc.. Often the reason that you are moving is because you need and want these things.
2. The Negotiables--These are items that you would like to have, but can live without, if you get your Must Haves. Examples might be hardwood floors, a handsome kitchen, storage areas. These would be things that could, with time and money, be added onto the home later.Â
3. The Deal Breakers--These are the things that you absolutely do not want. You will not consider a home if these items are included. Examples might include a busy highway next door, the wrong school district, a long commute, or no nearby amenities. As your agent, I especially need to know these things so that I don't waste your time showing homes that have these features.Â
If you are serious about moving ahead quickly into that special new home, it is time to make these lists. It will really focus you and your family, and prevent many wasted home tours.Â
Posted by Bruce Wagg on
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