Summertime - Time to Get Out!

Summer is a season of possibility. Not only is the market ripe with opportunities, but properties shine in a whole new light when the grass is green and the flowers are blooming.

These circumstances create the perfect opening for buyers and sellers alike to explore neighborhoods, tour homes, and think about their next move.

Crafting Your Criteria
In order to find what you’re looking for, you have to know what you’re looking for. That means knowing your criteria - your non-negotiables and nice-to-have’s.

“Initial considerations may be things like your budget and ideal location,” says Chad.

However, there are lots of other factors to keep in mind.

“When we are working with clients, it’s essential that we truly understand them,” Barry explains. “What are their schedules like? Their hobbies? What makes them tick?”

“These sorts of questions help us paint a picture of who they are and what matters to them,” says Chad.

When you’re living an active lifestyle where biking and running are frequent activities, proximity to good parks and trails may be on your list. If you have little ones who are heading to kindergarten in the next few years, local schools might be a key consideration. Perhaps holidays are hosted at your home and you need an open kitchen layout to accommodate large dinner gatherings.

Put Yourself Out There
In today’s digital world, embarking on your homebuying journey typically starts with a quick Google search. And, while looking at listings online is a great place to start, pictures oftentimes don’t tell the full story.

“Touring a property in real life allows you to see the flow of the house,” says Barry. “You’re able to walk around the neighborhood and see what’s happening at different times of the day. You can see the view from each window, and hear the birds chirping from the treetops.”

Attending showings and open houses for properties that fit your criteria is incredibly important, even if its photos online didn’t initially give you that feeling. After all, you never know when you might be pleasantly surprised.

Similarly, pleasant surprises are common with homes that have been on the market for a period of time. Instead of writing off a home because of its days on the market, we encourage you to be open minded and book a showing anyways.

Barry explains, “Just because a house has been on the market for a while doesn’t mean it’s not the right house for you.”

Practice Makes Perfect
Many people wonder - how do you know if you've found your next home?

And to that, Chad shares, “Being able to identify what’s right for you takes practice.”

It’s hard to know whether a house is the home for you when you have nothing to compare it to. Have you checked out other homes in the neighborhood? Are you familiar with what similar homes have to offer? What are the unique features of this home that set it apart from comparable options?

Having this foundational understanding will help you know when you find what you’re looking for, especially because no house you look at will be absolutely “perfect”.

“If a home checks most of your boxes, it might be the home for you,” says Chad. “What ultimately transforms a house into your home is the personal touches that you bring.”

Turn Ideas into Action
During this summer market, lean into the momentum that’s building towards your next move.

Start identifying your criteria, connecting with your Realtor, touring homes, and building the vision of your next chapter.