When it comes time to buy a home, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment. You walk into a house, you see a few things that make you swoon, and you’re already telling your REALTOR® that you want to make an offer.

Well, hold on just one second.

Even though the market is picking up and you may feel like you need to move quickly, it’s important that you don’t let your emotions get the best of you. By acting too quickly, you set yourself up for disappointment. That disappointment could be anything from paying too much for a home and losing money in the long run, to ending up in a neighborhood you don’t really like.

Yes, you need to move quickly and decisively, but you also need to take a step back and approach purchasing a home in a logical, step-by-step manner. Before you make that offer, make sure you’ve done all of the following:

Step 1: Drive around the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Just because your house looks good, or even the entire street looks good, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re buying in the neighborhood you want. Before you even walk into that home and give yourself a chance to fall in love with it, take a drive and lookout with a wary eye. How are other homes kept up? Do people seem to take pride in their curb appeal, or is grass overgrown and paint peeling? Remember, when it comes time to appraise your home, the appraiser is going to do the same thing.

Step 2: Talk to your potential neighbors.

If you move in, you’re going to have to “deal” with the neighbors because they probably aren’t going away any time soon. So knock on some doors and strike up some conversations. This way you’ll get a better idea of the type of people you’re going to spend your life living next to. Good neighbors will also give you the low down on what goes on in the neighborhood. Are there lots of rentals in the neighborhood? Are there houses sitting on the market for long periods of time without selling? Is there an HOA that keeps things in order?

Step 3: Do some online research.

With so much information readily at your fingertips, it would be silly not to find out everything you can online about your new neighborhood. A few helpful tips and things you should look for:

  • Home values: Ask your REALTOR® for a list of recent home sales in surrounding neighborhoods.
  • If you have children, check one of the various online resources for sex offenders in your neighborhood.
  • Look at the crime report for your area and see how safe it really is.

Step 4: Have your home inspected.

Once you and the seller have reached a tentative agreement, make sure you get licensed home inspector to inspect the home, and if necessary, follow-up on their recommendation for additional inspections.  In the end, inspections are worth the expense so you can avoid unpleasant surprises. If you can, be present when the inspector is performing the inspection (or at least towards the end!) so you can see what he finds and ask the right questions.

Once you have followed all of these steps, you’ll be armed with all you need to make the best buying decision possible. Not to mention, you’ll have all the right information to give you leverage in negotiations.

Are you looking for the perfect home in the Outer Banks? Let the experienced, knowledgeable REALTORS® at Coastal Outer Banks Realty help you find the perfect home. Learn more at www.coastalouterbanks.com.