We return to our characters Jack and Jill, with Jack returning from his monthly visit to the doctor.  “Jill, I’m back., Jill.”  shouted Jack as he entered their tiny condominium. “Yes, Jack I know your home, I could hear you when you walked up, through these paper thin walls.”  said Jill crossly “SooOOO, get on with it, how was your appointment with Doctor Foster?”  enquired Jill  “He told me that yes, indeed, I have a brain and it appears to be mended.  ANNNNNND, no more monthly visits.”  Jack smiled.  “Perfect, Jack it’s time for us to dive into our next check point.”  said Jane eagerly.  And this is what they read:

#5 Keep an Open Mind

When you are searching for your next home you MUST keep an OPEN MIND.  Unfortunately, your next home will not come alive and tell you “I’m the perfect home for you”, while trumpets play and confetti falls from the sky.  You will pick your next home by taking the time to research and visit the homes.  It is kind of like an interview process…you will interview many before you find the best fit for your needs.  Home buying has also been called home buying through elimination.  What do you NOT like about this home?  Do you absolutely HATE the front elevation (how the front of the home looks)?  Will a couple of cans of paint or some different landscaping change your opinion of the front elevation?  If NO is your answer don’t take another step, this is not the home for you…strike it from your list and move on.  Homes come on the market daily so be open minded to all possibilities.

Home searching overload has hit more than one home buyer and it could hit you, but here are some tips to help you keep an open mind.  Don’t visit too many homes in one day.  Everyone processes information differently, so take notes.  The worst thing you could do is create a SUPER HOME in your mind based on bits and pieces of homes you have seen that day.  Five homes a day is the magic number.  Also keep in mind that the home market is NOT standing still while you search for a home.  If you view a home today, it could have had five showings yesterday and two written offers already.  Because the home market is always moving; when you give your REALTOR your list of homes to view give him more than five.  One of the homes could already be under contract, while one home is sick with the flu, and another could be hosting a birthday party.  Here’s another tip:  the photos you see on the multiple listing service and videos the listing agent has made: are to peak your interest to set an appointment, but they also can be used to eliminate a home.  No photos or limited photos, something is up…don’t waste your time.  It’s hard to let go of that mystery home that says that it has the right number of bedrooms, square footage, location and price, BUT let it eliminate itself because it doesn’t have any or enough photos to deserve your attention.  Here’s another way to think of it….up to this point you have done everything to prepare yourself to make an offer.  You have a pre-qualification letter, you have a REALTOR, you have the desire to be a home buyer….now the homes have to have the equal desire to be sold, so if you see anything that may be deceptive in the marketing of a home, strike it from the list.

Everything happens for a reason, again BE OPEN MINDED, you are looking to eliminate homes.  If it is to be it is up to you.  The one home you cannot find enough to strike it from your list, that is the one that YOU will call HOME.

Jack and Jill now had a clearer picture of how to search for their home on the hill.  “Jill, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had an open mind once or twice.”  Jack said with a wink.  “Yes, Jill interpreted, I remember bandaging that mind more than once with vinegar and brown paper.”  “Well, I like this new type of open mind much better.”  Jack said as he leaned in to give Jill a kiss.  Jill returned his kiss with a blush as they eagerly awaited the next check point entitled:

“Jack and Jill…Will This Home Suit Our Needs?  The Home Buying Checklist You’ve Been Looking For (7 of 15)”

We hope that you’re enjoying our series and that it helps you on your way to…………………….

Live Life to the Fullest,

S.C.