4 House-Hunting Tips You Can’t Ignore

If you’re searching for your next home in Angel Fire, the Taos Ski Valley or Red River, there are plenty of ways to make your house-hunting journey easier – but we narrowed it down to four so you can find the right home at the right price quickly and easily.

4 House-Hunting Tips You Can’t Ignore

Before you start searching for the perfect house, get your annual (and free) copy of your credit report. If it’s up to par, apply for mortgage preapproval. That way, you’ll know exactly how much house you can afford. You’ll also be ready to make an offer when you find something you love.

House-Hunting Tip #1: Be Realistic

The universal truth of home-buying is that you’re not going to find a house that has everything you want. Maybe the garage is too big, or perhaps you don’t like the color of the upstairs bedroom… but you will definitely find a place that has most of your wants and needs, so stay flexible – and be realistic before you start taking tours.

House-Hunting Tip #2: Search Angel Fire Real Estate Listings Online

If you’re like most people, you’re comfortable looking at Angel Fire real estate listings online (and that’s great news). Start by narrowing your search by price to make things easier, and then click through homes that visually appeal to you. Keep a pen and paper handy so you can let your real estate agent know which homes you’d like to explore further.

House-Hunting Tip #3: Tour Smarter

When it’s time to start seeing homes, be smart about it. Don’t focus only on the home; check out the neighborhood, too, and other factors that might affect your enjoyment of the home. Is it located on top of a big hill? Does it back up to a busy street? How well do the neighbors maintain their lawns, and are there pets running wild on the streets?

When you do focus on the home, pay attention to things you can’t change (like its size, the views, and the number of bathrooms it has) – not things you can change.

House-Hunting Tip #4: Talk to Your Realtor® About How Much to Offer

Found a home you love? Don’t jump the gun and offer too much. Talk to your real estate agent to find out what similar homes are selling for, and base your offer on that. If your offer is too high, you’re spending more than you need to; the seller is always free to negotiate with you after you make an offer, too, so make sure you have expert input before you settle on a price.