Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

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Do you know what the top mistakes home buyers make and how making these mistakes can cost you money?

 #1 Working with more than one Realtor

I know, you think by working with 2 or more agents they will be able to scout the best properties for you. That’s now how it works. We all have access to the same information.

Working with one agent means they get to learn about you, your family, your wants and needs. They should be able to get a great handle on what you are looking for. When that happens, they will often make suggestions you hadn’t even considered but turn out to be the best option for you.

You want to work with one person who is devoted to only you and is looking out for your best financial interests.

#2 Not getting pre-approved before searching for your new home

Without a pre-approval you don’t know how much home you can afford. Your lender will be able to tell you what your down payment is, what your closing costs are and what your monthly payment will be.

Without a preapproval you are just guessing. What happens when you fall in love with a home that is out of your budget?

Having a pre-approval makes you a stronger buyer. In today’s market sellers require a pre-approval letter before accepting your offer and having one before hand means no delays.

#3 Not using a local lender

A local lender knows the market, they are aware of any first-time buyer programs you may qualify for.

A local lender will have a reputation sellers can trust.

#4 Taking on new debt

It’s tempting to buy new furniture and flooring for your new house, or heaven forbid a new car for the garage but don’t do it until after you close!

Buying new things on credit can seriously impact your Debt to Income Ratio and make you unable to get your mortgage.

This also includes co-signing on someone else’s loan

#5 Do not skip the final walkthrough

The final walk through is your opportunity to make sure the repairs you requested were done properly, the seller has removed all their personal items and left behind anything you requested in the contract.

You also should use this opportunity to be sure everything is working properly.

Be sure to avoid these mistakes many first time home buyers make.

Kelly Harden, Realtor

Mihara & Associates, Inc.

813-244-9688

What Buyers Want in a Home 2020

Do you know what the top items buyers are searching for in 2020?  And why does it matter to you?

Each year the National Association of Home Builders conducts a survey to find out what buyers are looking for in their new home.  What do you think is on the list?

1. Walk-in closets in the Master Bedroom. If you follow my Instagram account, you probably know I have closet envy.  I often post photos from model homes and resale homes featuring beautiful, well organized closets with all the fancy drawers, shelves and shoe racks, the works!
2. Energy efficient windows, or low emissivity windows. These are windows with a special film on them to help keep harmful sun rays out of the house while allowing maximum daylight into the house.
3. Laundry Rooms.  Buyers want homes with a laundry room.  They don’t a closet or a space in the garage but and actual laundry room.
4. Hardwood floors and if they can’t have that they want tile that looks like hardwood. Hardwoods are easier to maintain and cut down on dust and allergens.
5. A Walk in pantry that provides lots of storage for food and all those massive bottle of ketchup and rolls of paper towels you get from Costco.
6. Patios Outdoor patios create an extra room you can use year-round, especially in warm climates like Florida.
7. Ceiling fans You may have thought fancy chandelier lighting would be more important, but buyers want to keep the air moving in their homes.
8. Double kitchen sinks…I’m not sure why this is on the list, maybe buyers are handwashing a lot of dishes??

In my career I have found items most Florida home buyers want include

1. A pool, either a private pool in the backyard or a community pool at the clubhouse
2. Homes located in a lifestyle community that offers amenities such as walking paths, fitness centers, playgrounds, dog parks and such

Knowing what the top trends buyers are looking for can help you when you want to sell your home.  If your house has any of the 8 items on list, you can accentuate the items in your marketing materials to draw attention to them and attract more potential buyers to your house.

If you have questions about real estate in the Tampa Bay area or if I can help you in any way give me a call, I am happy to help you.

Kelly Harden, Realtor®

Mihara & Associates, Inc.

813-244-9688

@KellyHarden1

Asturia, a beautiful community in Odessa FL

Are you thinking about buying a new home in Tampa Bay and wondering Asturia, a community in the Odessa area,  is a great community for you?

Asturia is a 500 acre development featuring four builders who offer single family homes, townhomes and apartments.

Asturia is located on SR54 close to the Veteran’s Expressway.  It’s a short drive to the beautiful bay area beaches, about 20-25 minutes to the Tampa airport, and not too far of drive to all the amusement parks in Orlando.

Amenities in the community include a beautiful clubhouse featuring a fitness center and resort style pool, a bike and walking path, a Kompan playground, neighborhood parks, a dog park and more.

The community offers an active social calendar for residents that includes things like fitness classes and food truck Fridays where local food truck vendors come for the residents to enjoy.

Home prices range from the mid $200,000 to over $500,000.

If you’d like to learn more about the communities in the Odessa area give me a call, I am happy to help!

Kelly Harden, Realtor®

Mihara & Associates, Inc.

813-244-9688

4 Things that might be stopping you from finding your new home

Are you unknowingly doing things that are sabotaging your house hunting efforts? You might be surprised to learn that some things you are doing might be keeping you from finding your new home.

Sometimes, without meaning to, many home buyers unknowingly make mistakes that keep them from finding their new home.

1. Hesitating before placing on offer on the home you want.  I never encourage anyone rushing to decide, but keep in mind in an active sellers’ market there are a lot of buyers who are also searching for their new home.  When you find the home you like, delay placing your offer or someone else may beat you to it.
2. Don’t Nitpick every property.  There is no such thing as a perfect home.  You can always change things once you move in so don’t be overly critical of things that can be changed like flooring and wall colors.
3. Don’t place unrealistic, low-ball offers.  You risk angering the seller so much they won’t want to work with you.  Your agent will look at the comparable homes that sold in the market to help you determine a reasonable offer price.  Plus, if you are getting a mortgage you will have an appraisal that will ensure the home is worth the contract value
4. Don’t compare every property you see to the one that got away.  This is the best way to drive yourself nuts!  I am a firm believer that if you miss out on a house (for whatever reason) it was meant to be, and you will find your new home soon.  I’ve seen it happen time and time again, so don’t get obsessed on the house you missed out on.

These are just a few things I’ve seen home buyers do that get in the way of them finding their new home.  Don’t let it happen to you.

If you are looking for a home in Tampa Bay or have any questions about living in here go ahead and give me a call or send a text, I am happy to help you!

Kelly Harden, REALTOR

Mihara & Associates, Inc.

813-244-9688