Home Buying Tips | Tampa Bay Homes for Sale

Buying Tip: Making sure the Neighborhood is right for you

When shopping for a home, particularly if you are buying your first, it is easy to get excited about features. It is important to like the home you are buying and for it to fit your lifestyle and needs, but back up a bit and look around it. Perhaps you had good help in locating the home, or maybe you found it online or went to an open house. You may have even done some research on the neighborhood or area of town. Considering the fact that you will probably own the home for at least five to … Continue reading...

3 Things to Do Before Home Downsizing

There comes a point in many people's lives when they want or need a home that's smaller than their current one. Couples have children that grow up and move out. Retirees might want less space to clean or less yard to maintain. Some folks just get sick of stairs and crave a single-level home, and others just want to save money. Whatever the reason, downsizing has its appeal. And while it might sound as if it's a way of simplifying your life, moving into a smaller home can get a little … Continue reading...

5 Deal Breakers When Buying a Home

When buying a new home, it can be extremely difficult to find something that you like and can afford, so you might feel pressured into making a decision right away. However, ignoring some major flaws in a property may quickly turn your new home into a money pit. Make sure you examine any home carefully before you make an offer, or better yet, hire someone to conduct a professional inspection. Here are some problems you may encounter when inspecting a property, which might make you reconsider … Continue reading...

5 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting and costly actions you'll likely take in your adult life. Doing it right takes time. Finding a home -- one that fits your current and future needs in a location that you love -- isn't always easy. Before you scour the internet and talk to real estate agents about buying a home, there are a few things to consider. Whether you're in your twenties or your fifties, be sure to ask about these five important factors when you buy your first … Continue reading...

Moving to a New City? Tips for Finding a Family-friendly Community to Buy Your New Home In

If you're moving to a new city with children, one of your likely considerations is finding a family-friendly community where you can settle in and call home. In this post we'll share a handful of tips that you may find helpful if you're searching for a family-friendly neighborhood in a new city. Check Out The Quality Of Local Schools Schools are one of the cornerstones of a community and high-quality schools are a sign that a community is suitable for your family. When you've made your short … Continue reading...

The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Home Versus Buying Pre-owned

Are you thinking about buying a new home? Congratulations! Buying a house, condo or townhouse is an exciting and rewarding time which tends to be a lot of fun. However, along the way you'll need to make a number of decisions – including whether you want to buy a pre-owned home or one that has been built recently and is brand new. Let's take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of buying a new home versus buying pre-owned. New Homes Tend To Have Fewer Problems One of the major upsides … Continue reading...

House Hunting: Watch for These Five Small Signs That Can Indicate Much Bigger Problems with a Home

It’s not uncommon for homebuyers to recount horror stories about properties that appeared to be fine at first glance, but were actually hiding very expensive problems. If you fail to do your due diligence, you might find your dream house turning into a nightmare. The next time you walk through a house, pay attention for these five signs that the property might be hiding a unfortounate secret or two. Mold, Water Spots and Water Damage Older and newer homes alike may develop a leaky pipe or … Continue reading...

Experiencing ‘Purchase Anxiety’? How to Calm Your Nerves Before Committing to Buy a New Home

Whether this is your first big purchase, or your family is moving to a new location or looking for more space, buying a home has its share of ups and downs. It's perfectly normal to feel anxious about whether or not you've found the right property. Here are some things you can do to make yourself feel more secure with your decision. Do The Math You've probably already done this, but it's okay to go over it a number of times to be sure. Factor in your household income and all the bills you expect … Continue reading...

Lowballing 101: How to Avoid Insulting a Home Seller when Making a Low Offer for Their House or Condo

Buying a home is a huge step for people who are ready to make an investment in their future. Getting a great deal on a home is just as important and knowing how much to offer could be confusing. It is important to make sure the home seller is not insulted by the lowball offer and is ready to negotiate to make sure everyone wins. Make a List of Necessary Improvements One of the best ways to validate a lowball offer on a home is to list improvements that need to be made to the property. If the … Continue reading...

The ‘Must Have’ List: Why Deciding Your Must-Haves Before Viewing Homes is a Great Idea

Knowing what you want before you start looking is a big help when house-hunting. Giving the list of 'must-have' items to your real estate professional a few days before you begin touring listings is a great idea because they can find homes that meet as many of your criteria as possible. It also helps on a more personal level, since being organized and knowing what you want will help you quickly identify whether or not homes meet those standards. Is it a 'Must-Have' or a 'Nice-to-Have'? The … Continue reading...