From Your President of the Pee Dee REALTOR ® Association Amy McCalman Kirby
The Price of Perfection : Don ’ t Wait for the Perfect Home
In life , patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying , waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn ’ t wise . That ’ s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost . And in this case , that cost may be delaying your dream of homeownership . As Bankrate explains :
“ One of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes is looking for a home that checks each of your boxes . Looking for perfection can narrow your choices and lead you to pass over good , suitable options for starter homes in the hopes that something better will come along .”
The Cost of Holding Out for Perfection
Nothing in life is ever perfect – and that ’ s true when you search for a home too . Unless you ’ re building a brand-new home from the ground up , chances are there are going to be some features or finishes you wouldn ’ t have picked yourself . It may be as simple as paint colors , a light fixture , or the tile in the bathrooms or kitchen . Or even that the backyard isn ’ t fenced in . It could also be that the home itself is great , but it ’ s not the ideal location you were hoping for .
But here ’ s the trade-off you ’ d be making without even realizing it . In all that time you ’ d spend searching for the perfect place , you ’ d overlook a lot of homes that would ’ ve worked for you . U . S . News explains :
“. . . you may miss opportunities if you enter the process with blinders on and aren ’ t open-minded . . . Countless potential buyers never buy because of this , and thus miss great investments or never move on to the next chapter of their lives .”
It ’ s Time To Redefine Perfection
Especially with affordability and inventory where they are today , buying a home that needs some updates , is a few neighborhoods away from your ideal location , or doesn ’ t have all your desired features can be a smart move . Here ’ s why .
For starters , these homes are usually more affordable , which is important at a time when some buyers are struggling to find options in their budget .
And they give you a chance to make the space your own or discover a whole new area of town . You may find out you actually love that neighborhood . Or , swapping out a feature here or there after movein isn ’ t such a big deal . So , look past the green shag carpet and see the bones of the house . With a little vision and creativity , you can turn a good house into a fantastic home .
How a REALTOR Helps You Explore Your Options
If you ’ re open to a home that needs a little elbow grease or is a bit further out , let your REALTOR know . They ’ ll be happy to show you how this can really open up your pool of homes to pick from . They ’ ll also help coach you through this process by :
1 . Prioritizing Your Must-Haves : Your REALTOR will want to revisit your wish list and separate your non-negotiables from your nice-to-haves . From there , they ’ ll focus on what ’ s really most important to you as they come up with a bigger list of options for you to choose from .
2 . Coaching You To See the Potential : As you tour these added options , your REALTOR will help you look beyond cosmetic flaws and imagine what the home could be with a little work . Simple updates like a fresh coat of paint or new flooring can make a big difference .
3 . Connecting You with Local Pros : And a REALTOR ’ s support goes one step further . If they know what you ’ re hoping to change after you move in , they can connect you with local pros who can get the job done . That way it ’ s less work for you , and you don ’ t have to worry about tracking down contractors .
Bottom Line
Remember , there is no perfect home . But with expert help and an open mind , we can find you the right home – even in today ’ s market . Connect with a local REALTOR to see what ’ s out there .
10 - REAL ESTATE WEEKLY www . peedeerealestateweekly . com Equal Housing Opportunity