Finding the “perfect” Columbus house for sale is a matter of knowing what you want. And the more specific you can be, the better your chance of success. Your Columbus real estate agent is a great resource to discuss the following points. Talking through them will help you focus your search for Columbus condos and homes.
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Where do you want to live? Perhaps you wish to be close to your place of employment so your daily commute is quick. Maybe it’s important for you to be near your parents or in-laws, if you have young children. We have many choices: urban, suburban, rural, etc. Realtors traditionally say that there are three factors to finding the “right” home: “Location, location, and location!” The important point to remember, though, is that I want to help you find your “right location”.
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What features do you need? As with buying a car, Columbus houses come with certain features. Once you’ve settled on possible locations, make a list of “must-haves” (a large kitchen, a garage, etc.) and “nice-to-haves” (a first-floor laundry, a finished basement, etc.) and “don’t needs”. Ask me for my Home Wish List where you can jot down all these features and share them with your friends and family.
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What do you know about the neighborhood? “Knowledge is power,” as the saying goes. You can go online and find lots of useful information about a neighborhood and even specific houses you might be considering. You’ll learn about the school system, public services, the crime rate, demographics, etc. The Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for you, and will have free visitor packets available, chock full of useful information. Another great resource is the local newspaper. Visit their website and scan some month’s worth of headlines. This will tell you all kinds of information about the health of the area.
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Are you working with a local realtor? It’s important to use a realtor who knows the area really well. It’s also important to feel comfortable with your realtor. After all, you’ll be sharing personal information with her. You can find the names and contact information for realtors in the local phone book or online.
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Can you visit the neighborhood? While it’s a good idea to search online for homes that are for sale in the neighborhood, it’s an even better idea to visit the neighborhood in person. There’s nothing like slowly driving by a house for sale and seeing it in the context of everything around it. It’ll give you a “feel” for the place that online pictures just can’t.
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Have you spoken with a Loan Officer about pre-approval for a mortgage? The pre-approval process saves you a lot of time and helps you narrow your search. Your loan officer will give you a pre-approval letter that identifies the price range of homes you can afford. It’s also an important tool to have on-hand to show a seller that you’re a serious buyer.
Ready to find out what is the right house for you? Consider the points above as you start your search, and you’ll be sure to know it when you see it. Better yet, call Susanne at 614-975-9650 to discuss your wish list and to set up some showings!