Tami Savage, Realtor

Your Key to a New Lifestyle

  • Search for Homes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Today

April 4, 2022 By Tami Savage

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Today

Since the number of homes for sale is low today, it can feel challenging to find one that checks all your boxes. But if you know which features are absolutely essential in your next home and which ones are just nice bonuses, you can land a home that fits your needs.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains it like this:

“Focus on the goal you set out for yourself, like your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves and your budget, . . . Stick to that. Be persistent.”

So how do you go about creating your list of desired features? The first step is to get pre-approved for your mortgage. Pre-approval helps you better understand your budget, and that plays an important role in how you’ll craft your list. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s too far out of reach.

Once you have a good grasp of your budget, you can begin to list all the features of a home you would like. Here’s a great way to think about them before you begin:

  • Must-Haves – If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle (examples: distance from work or loved ones, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.).
  • Nice-To-Haves – These are features that you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-To-Haves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the must-haves and some of the these, it’s a contender (examples: a second home office, garage, etc.).
  • Dream State– This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the must-haves, most of the nice-to-haves, and any of these, it’s a clear winner (examples: farmhouse sink, multiple walk-in closets, etc.).

Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss it with your real estate advisor. They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, coach you through the best way to stick to it, and find a home in your area that meets your needs.

Bottom Line

Crafting your home search checklist may seem like a small task, but it can save you time and money. It’s also one of the keys to being successful in today’s competitive market. Let’s connect so we can work together to find a home that fits your wants and needs.

Tagged With: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Buying a Home. Send me this eGuide.

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Selling Your House. Send me this eGuide.

Tags

Baby Boomers Buying Myths Community Demographics Distressed Properties Down Payments Events First Time Home Buyers Forbearances For Buyers Foreclosures For Sale By Owners For Sellers FSBOs Generation X Generation Z Gen Z Holidays Home Design Home Trends Housing Market Updates Infographics Interest Rates Interview Investors Luxury Luxury Home Luxury Market Millennials Move-Up Buyers moving New Construction Pricing relocation Remodel Rent vs Buy Report Reviews Selling Myths Senior Market Short Sales SOLD Tax Refund Veterans Video

About Me

I help homeowners sell their existing home and shift into a home more suitable to their needs in the North Metro Atlanta area (specifically around Cumming, Canton, & Milton). Read More…

Let’s Connect

770-744-2524‬ or
(888) 959-9461 x2543

 

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
If you're following the news, you might be wondering what could happen to the housing market if there's a recession. Let's connect to discuss why history shows a recession doesn't equal a housing crisis.

SOURCES: 
• https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/corelogic-hpi-posted-record-year-over-year-growth-in-2021/
• https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/housing-recessions-and-recoveries/
• https://www.thebalance.com/the-history-of-recessions-in-the-united-states-3306011
A Recession Doesn't Equal a Housing Crisis
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_OdOSl6RHDig
Buyers already know higher mortgage rates can increase their monthly payment.

But sellers might be surprised to learn rising rates could impact them, as well.

Watch the video to find out what you should consider if you’ve been waiting to sell your home.

Then contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Whether you want to buy or sell this year, act fast…before rates rise even further!

📲 770-744-2524
☎️ 888-959-9461 x2543
📩  tami@tamisavage.com
How Will Rising Mortgage Rates Impact Home Sellers?
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_bDqmTWZ5YzM
Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home?  The Summer Buyer and Seller Guides are Here.
Go here to request:  https://tamisavage.com/new-summer-2022-buyer-and-seller-guides-are-here/
Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home: The Summer Buyer and Seller Guides are here!!! (Summer 2022)
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_CptLaL_muMQ
Want to better understand how buying a home could be a great investment for you? Let’s connect today.

SOURCE:
• https://news.gallup.com/poll/392330/record-low-say-good-time-buy-house.aspx
More Americans Choose Real Estate as the Best Long Term Investment
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_VznC8C5QzU4
Thinking of Moving Up This Summer?

Here are some features you may want on your wishlist:
• Outdoor entertaining space
• A swimming pool to make a splash
• A quiet place to relax and unwind

Let's connect so you can sell your house and find the home of your dreams.
Thinking of Moving Up This Summer
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_UA7yETbMfBg
If you're thinking of buying or selling a home this year, it's important to know where the market is headed and what that means for you. Let's connect so you have the latest expert insights to help plan your next move.

SOURCES: 
• https://www.mba.org/docs/default-source/research-and-forecasts/forecasts/mortgage-finance-forecast-apr-2022.pdf
https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/forecast-q2-2022-us-economic-outlook-04-27-2022.pdf
• https://www.fanniemae.com/media/43346/display
• https://www.freddiemac.com/research/forecast/20220418-quarterly-forecast-purchase-market-will-remain-solid-even-mortgage-rates-rise
• https://pulsenomics.com/surveys/#home-price-expectations
• https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/u-s-home-price-insights/
• https://www.zelmanassociates.com/
• https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-pandemic-boom-in-home-sales-is-over-mortgage-rates-soar-to-highest-level-since-2009-as-the-fed-pressures-the-housing-market-11651760108
What's on the Horizon for the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2022?
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_CUfujHdh4lI
There are a number of good reasons you may want to sell your house right now. Let's connect so you have an expert on your side to help you during the process.

SOURCES: 
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/why-time-is-right-sell-home-us-2022-03-29/ https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-you-should-sell-your-home-2019-7#lifestyle-shifts-are-compelling-you-to-rethink-your-living-space-2
https://blog.firstam.com/economics/why-the-2022-housing-market-is-very-2019
Top Signs Its Time To Sell According to Experts
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_RceP-LLP230
More sellers are expected to list their houses in the months ahead. Let's connect so you have a trusted real estate advisor on your side and can act when your dream home comes to market.

SOURCES: 
https://news.move.com/2022-04-06-New-Realtor-com-R-Survey-Finds-64-of-2022-Sellers-Plan-to-List-by-Summers-End
https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/ehs-03-2022-overview-2022-04-20.pdf
Homebuyers You May Have More Options
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_RC4-_HXbNuQ
Right now, the average home for sale is getting more offers than in recent years. Let's connect so we can discuss how you can win when you make a move in today's housing market.

SOURCE: 
https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2022-03-realtors-confidence-index-04-20-2022.pdf
Buyers Are Lining Up To Make an Offer in Todays Housing Market
YouTube Video UCje-ynLSmvEYv1nXUpNTiMw_B5vLzgjs3Gc
Load More... Subscribe

Calculate Mortgage Payments

Below is a mortgage calculator you may use to help give you an estimate on your monthly payment and other details.

Once calculated, next to the monthly payment on the far right is a small graphic you can click on to see the payment schedule.

Calculate Mortgage Payments

www.mlcalc.com

eXp Realty

Realtor Stellar MLS Equal Opportunity Housing

Copyright © 2019+ Tami Savage LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

DISCLAIMER: The information contained, and the opinions expressed, on this site are NOT intended to be construed as investment advice. Tami Savage LLC does NOT guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should ALWAYS conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Tami Savage LLC will NOT be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.