Finding Your Dream Home in Arlington, VA
When it comes to finding your dream home, it might not be as easy as it sounds. For some people, they might fall in love with one of the first houses they take a look at. For most of us, however, home shopping involves a lot of driving and walking through homes that might not be exactly what we’re looking for.
So, what can you do to help the process? Finding your dream home isn’t easy, but there are definitely some steps you can take to help the process play out. Be thoughtful, have clear expectations, and know where you can give and take.
There are so many beautiful properties right here in Arlington, VA, and I bet when you have clear “must-haves” and expectations, you’ll find one that checks off everything on your list sooner rather than later. Here are our best tips when it comes to finding your dream home in Arlington, VA!
Find Your Style and Stick To It
The vast amount of diversity in homes in Arlington, VA is really incredible. From old-style colonial homes to newer builds and neighborhoods, Arlington really has a little something for everyone.
When it comes to style and feel, it’s good to look at the “big picture” of potential homes you are looking at. You’ll most likely have to make some changes to the details, but as long as the bones are good and the “big picture” is what you like, it’s hard to go wrong.
It’s also really important to be very specific and clear to your real estate agent about what all you are looking for in the overall feel and style of a home. The more they know, the better they can help!
Understand Your Budget
A dream home can’t become reality unless you know what fits in your price range and what doesn’t. If you’ve bought a home before, you know to expect some surprise expenses along the way. If you have a clear understanding of what your budget looks like and where certain homes fit into it, the process of shopping and buying a home will go much, much smoother.
Start with getting pre-approved and maybe talking with a financial advisor. After that, speak with your real estate agent about where the market stands and what to expect when you are getting ready to make an offer.
As always, clear expectations help make finding your dream home a whole lot easier.
Make a List Non-Negotiables
When it comes to buying your dream home, being realistic is key. Understand that all homes have flaws and that each one will require some TLC at some point or another. But it’s also good to know what you are not willing to budge on, such as…
We need four bedrooms for our growing family.
We want a home with a pool for our kids and their friends.
I want a big backyard to host and for our dogs to play.
There are all “big picture” items that houses either do or don’t have. It’s good to know what your non-negotiables are. But when it comes to paint colors, furniture arrangement, updates, etc., it’s okay to be willing to negotiate!
These are just a few ways to help your dream home search go a little better! Communication with your real estate agent is key and coming in with clear and realistic expectations will help everything move along better.
With all that said, good luck! A home is where we build a life, and there is no better investment than a perfect home for you and your family to live in.
If you are looking for a Realtor that specializes in Arlington real estate, give me a call. In all honesty, I know the market very well because I have lived here all my life. With me, you can find the real specialized help that you’re looking for. Bonus, I’m pretty social too! Follow me on Facebook @Brad Winkelmann Real Estate Arlington VA, Orange Line Metro.