Posts in category 'For Buyers'

When people start imagining their next home, their "wish list" of what they want it to have usually includes things like the number of bedrooms and baths, a particular style of home, maybe a yard…or definitely not a yard for those who'd rather avoid mowing. Some buyers dream about fully updated kitchens and bathrooms, while others are perfectly happy with a fixer-upper so they can make it their own.

Having an actual list of wants and must-haves is smart. It keeps you (and the process) focused, and helps you know where you can bend and where you need to draw the line.

There are common themes, but no two lists are exactly alike. Even couples buying together often have wildly different visions—which is one of the many reasons why real estate agents joke about being part-time therapists as they help partners negotiate their wishlists.

But one thing the vast majority of buyers agree on and tops the list of must-haves might surprise you—it's safety.

Many homebuyers have felt like they've had to go to extremes just to have their offers considered. For a while now, the combination of limited inventory, bidding wars, and competition from investors—ranging from local flippers to large hedge funds—has left everyday buyers feeling like they need to act fast and give up key protections just to have a shot at getting their offer accepted.

Waiving contingencies like inspections or appraisals became a common tactic, not necessarily because buyers wanted to—but because it sometimes felt like the only way to be seen on equal footing. If you've felt that pressure, you're not alone. It's been a tough environment to navigate.

In some areas, inventory is ticking upward, and some buyers are putting their searches on pause due to rising rates or economic uncertainty. So that may be starting to shift to a degree and give you more breathing room than there was even a few months ago.

But competition is still a reality...

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There's a saying in real estate: "Date the rate, marry the house." But lately, some buyers aren't even swiping right unless the rate starts with a two.

A new Real Estate News survey reveals that 1 in 4 would-be buyers say they're sitting out until mortgage rates drop below 3%. Not 5%. Not even 4%. Three. The kind of rates economists are calling "very unlikely" in the foreseeable future.

Now, if you're a buyer who's actually in the market right now—or thinking about jumping in—it's easy to wonder if rates should be lower or whether waiting might be the smarter move.

But consider this: that 25% of would-be buyers sitting on the sidelines is what makes it a good time for you to ju...

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Finding the perfect house is exciting, but realizing the neighborhood isn't a perfect fit for you after you've moved in…not so great. Maybe the street turns into a speedway at rush hour. Maybe the neighbor's dog thinks barking is a competitive sport. Or maybe it just doesn't feel right, and you can't quite put your finger on why. Either way, it's a hard thing to fix once you've signed the papers and unpacked the boxes.

So before you fall completely in love with a house, make sure you're also feeling good about where it's located. A little extra effort up front can save you from a lot of frustration later. Taking the time to really explore the area—not just th...

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A recent article suggested an unconventional house-hunting tip for buyers: bring a dinner plate and a clothes hanger along when touring homes. The logic? Use the plate to check cabinet depth and the hanger to gauge closet space.

If you're wondering why a good old-fashioned tape measure wouldn't suffice, you're not alone. But at the same time, it's kind of practical…if you can get past the befuddled stare of your real estate agent as you walk up to the house looking like you're walking up to the register at HomeGoods.

Actually, come to think of it, that might spice up the whole homebuying process! And after all, a tape measure tells you dimensions, but it doesn't always tell you how something feels in a space. So why stop with plates and hangers?

Here are 6 other offbeat things you could bring on a home tour to help decide whether a house truly fits your life:

1) Your Phone Charger

We've all played the bedtime tug-of-war with a charger cord that's juuust a few inches too short. So bring your actual charger to a showing, plug it in, and do a little test run to see if it can reach your bed from the nearest outlet. Will you be able to doom-scroll comfortably, or are you in for nightly cable gymnastics?

2) Your Laundry Basket

Laundry isn't fun to begin with, so the last thing you want is to deal with a hallway or stairwell that feels like a full-contact sport every time you do laundry. Carry it around with you as you tour the home to make sure it fits around corners and staircases. See how many times you need to adjust the way you're holding it in order to avoid scraping your knuckles on the wall.

3) Your Roomba

If you own a Roomba, you know the struggle. It can easily get stuck in a corner, trapped behind furniture, or—worst of all—find a cliff to jump off of like a lemming. If you're eyeing a home with open staircases, high thresholds, or tricky floor layouts, bring your trusty Roomba and see how it handles the terrain.

If your trusty robot vacuum gets stuck under a cabinet lip, trapped between chair legs, or nearly takes a tumble down the stairs, you've just uncovered a few quirks that no floor plan would warn you about.

4) Your Average Dirty Dish Stack

Do they all fit in the sink? If not, how do they look on the surrounding counter area?

Let's face it, no one has a perfectly tidy kitchen all the time. So, it's worth testing whether your usual post-dinner chaos can fit entirely in the sink. Bring your dirty dish stack (or just simulate it with a few clean ones if you think that's a bit over the top) to see how much space is actually available for your typical everyday mess.

5) The Bulk Toilet Paper or Paper Towels You Buy

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, but finding a place to plop them once you get them home can be quite the challenge. Before you commit to a new home, make sure your bulk TP or paper towels have somewhere to live. And if there isn't room for one of those bad boys, what're you gonna do if there's another pandemic?!

6) Your Bathroom Caddy or Shower Products

Those sleek built-in ledges look nice… until your shampoo bottle does a swan dive every morning. Bring your actual shower setup or caddy and do a little staging in the tub. Can everything sit securely? Is there a spot for your razor, loofah, or absurdly tall conditioner bottle? Or are you going to need suction cups and a prayer?