This is the fourth installment in a series to guide you through buying a home in the Springfield, MO, area. If you missed the first three installments, I'm including the links here:
Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part 1 - Getting PreApproved for a Loan
Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part II - Selecting a Realtor
Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part III - Choosing Your Area/Community
Now...you're preapproved for a loan, you've selected your Realtor, and you've chosen your area/community...what's next? LOOKING FOR HOMES!
This is the fun part! When searching for a home, it is important to tell your Realtor what your needs and wants are. Many people these days prefer to search online themselves. There are many excellent online resources for you.
My website is a comprehensive resource for all of your real estate needs. Start your search here for Springfield MO homes for sale for access to all listings in the Greater Springfield MLS, including the outlying communities such as Ozark, Nixa, Republic, Willard and Rogersville. You can also search for upcoming Open Houses in Springfield MO. You will also find Springfield MO Area Market Reports that are updated each month.
Register with My Home Finder and enter your search criteria. You may rerun a saved search anytime without reentering your personal criteria. You may save as many searches as you like. Would you like to be notified via email about new listings matching your personal critera? Simply select the email notification option in any of your personal saved searches. You will receive links to newly listed properties!
Now that you have your list of favorite homes, your Realtor can schedule the showings. Unless you're prohibited by time, it is important that you not look at too many homes in one day, otherwise it will be hard to remember which kitchen went with each home, etc. Start with your absolute favorites. Here are some tips when viewing homes:
- Do you like the neighborhood? Pay close attention to the surrounding homes. Are they well kept? Is it a family-friendly neighborhood? Does it offer the amenities you're looking for, such as a pool, play area, tennis courts, basketball courts, lake, or walking trails? Do you feel at home in the neighborhood?
- How does the floorplan work for you? Does the floorplan have a nice flow? Are you able to utilize the space in the home for your specific needs? Will the space of this home support your needs in the future?
- Does the home need any immediate repairs or updating? Is the HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roof in proper working order? Are they at the end of their lifespan? Do you have enough money to spend on upgrades and repairs the home may need?
- Is this a new construction home? If so, how stable is the builder? What is the builder's reputation? Is the builder good at following up on items under warranty? What kind of warranty is the builder offering? Talk with neighbors and find out what their experience was in working with this builder.
- Can you envision yourself in this home? It may be beautiful with someone else's furnishing, but how will your furniture fit into the home? Try to envision how your own furniture will fit into the space. Is the style of the home appropriate for your lifestyle? If you entertain, is there plenty of room for your guests?
Once you've finished looking at a particular home, make notes! It is likely that you will forget many of the features and/or characteristics of the home once you've left. Be sure to take detailed notes of the properties that you view to help you in weighing the factors of one home against another.
Go through your list of needs and wants. Which home MOST meets your needs? You will be able to make an educated decision on which home you would like to make an offer on.
That will take you to the next installment - Researching Your Home of Interest.
Click Here to Learn About Me and My Background
Click Here to Search for Homes For Sale in the Springfield MO Area
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Lina Robertson Jones
Owner/Agent
RE/MAX Solutions
1715 James River Road
Ozark, MO, 65721 |
Mobile: (417) 844-7265
linarobertson@remax.net
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RE/MAX - Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results!
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About the author: I am full-time REALTOR® with RE/MAX Solutions in Springfield, MO, and a member of the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS®. I have helped hundreds of families in the Springfield, Nixa, Republic and Ozark real estate markets, whether buying a home, or selling a home. Visit my website at www.ozarks-realestate.com to search for All Springfield MO Area MLS listings. Want to know what our market is like? My website is also an excellent resource for current Springfield MO Area Real Estate Market Reports, as well as current market reports for Ozark, Nixa, Republic, and Rogersville.
