Welcome back to our Home Buying Series! In the last couple of issues, we covered the basics of preparing to buy a home and understanding your financial options. Today, we're diving into how to effectively browse home buying websites, select the right realtor, and make the most out of touring potential homes.

Home Buying Series - Part 3

Next up on this journey, we get to the fun part! Browsing for homes online, and walking through and envisioning your self living there. Utilizing all of the popular sites like Zillow.com, Homes.com, or Realtor.com - finding the perfect house is right at the end of your fingertips. All of these sites pull information from the Multiple Listings Services (MLS), that real estate agents have access to. But one thing to note, is some home sellers will select to put homes directly on a site, and bypass going through the MLS. So there is a chance to find a home that your agent may not know about. A prime example of this is new construction homes. There are some builders who do not worry about listing homes on the MLS immediately - they will focus on listing it on their own websites, and Zillow type sites first - so you may see it first.

This brings us to the second point - finding your Realtor. Purchasing a home in North Carolina, does not require a real estate agent - but nearly all transactions could use the support of an agent. Your agent will not only be the one to help find the house that checks all your boxes, but also provide market knowledge, and negotiation skills. Here is a fun project: Make a post on your social media, or send a few texts, saying you are looking for an agent - I can almost guarantee someone within your close circle is an agent or knows one very well. Realtors are plentiful - but make sure to do your research and follow up to find the agent that works best for YOU. With recent changes in how real estate agents, and consumers work together - the savvy agent will try to get you to sign a long term agreement that you will work with them through your home buying journey. Make sure to read documents before you sign them. Everything is negotiable.

In my opinion, I feel like once you get to the stage of touring homes, that is the most exciting part. It helps you really understand the filters and preferences you have for your next home because you really get to see everything in person. Maybe having an office area is a must for you - but then when you actually go tour a house, you may find that an extra room could be used for that purpose! One of my biggest recommendations - slightly borrowed from the HGTV type shows. Take notes as you see houses, and give them names to remember them by. Once you see more than 5-10 houses, everything will start to blend together. And a house that you saw early in the process might become the one that works best for you a few days or weeks later.

Local Spotlight - Lights for Levine Children’s

Lights for Levine Children’s will be taking place on December 5th at 7pm! Mark your calendars,

It is an evening of light, love and a lot of fun for the whole community. There will be speakers, surprise guests, a station to make cards for kids in the hospital, hot chocolate, and more. Generously presented by Eastwood Homes, this event is free and for all ages.

RSVP through their Facebook event

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