Emotionally Prepare Yourself to Buy a Home

Buying an Orange County home can stir up emotions you didn’t even know existed.  And that goes triple for homebuying lovers already bound by the deepest of passions. Believe me, if you and your better half aren’t emotionally prepared for the experience of buying an Orange County home, you could be igniting one heck of powder keg under your keesters. Fortunately, 17 years of navigating theLaguna Beach real estate market has made me wise in the ways of emotional preparation. Here are 5 must-have tips culled from my experiences.  

1. Who is the decision maker? Think your relationship is a democracy? Not when it comes to homebuying. Doesn’t matter if your guy is a club-swinging caveman. Or if your woman might withhold certain favors. Your previous balance of power vanishes in the homebuying arena. Only one of you two lovebirds will answer the eternal question: ‘To buy or not to buy?’ It’s the nature of real estate. The only decision the other person will ever make is: ‘whatever’. Simple. Sweet. Fool-proof. You might not know who the great decider is at first. Your realtor might even be out of the loop.  But a decision maker will emerge. And it’s best to let him or her drive if you want a peaceful journey.
2. What are your MUST HAVES? Your price point is pretty much a constant - plus or minus a few nickels. Nevertheless, variables come into play. To discover these, The Coastal Property Experts asks couples to list 5 very specific must-haves for their future home.  Common choices are ocean view, open floor plan, and a certain number of bedrooms. If we round up 4 of the 5, the decision maker typically says ‘yes’ and a sense of peace settles over you both. If a couple fails to provide must-haves, however, they’re just spinning their wheels.  
3. When will you have your love nest? Know your approximate move date – the ultimate goal to shoot for. If you don’t set this boundary, you will always think there is a better home around the corner. Which, of course, you’ll never find. Eventually, you’ll realize how many opportunities slipped through your fingers. When that happens, every other prospect will be a disappointing second best. Unless you’re hunting for quarry in track housing, it will be virtually impossible for an agent to duplicate the home you wish you had grabbed a few months back.
4. Where's the money, honey? Loans are emotionally draining. For instant relief, get pre-approved before you house hunt. Don’t expect the cake walk available with the cheesy credit offers flooding your mailbox. Prospective lenders will put your financials under a high-powered microscope, pinpointing your purchasing power and borrowing threshold – all of which can and will change as interest rates do. Rest assured, the intense scrutiny works in your favor. When the smoke clears, you’ll know your spending limit right up front. Such knowledge provides the kind of comfort and solace impossible with vague guesswork. For pre-approval, couples can try a lender with whom they already have an account, seek recommendations from their realtor, or shop on their own.
5. Do you have the best realtor? Believe that your realtor is watching out for your best interest and faithfully fulfilling his or her fiduciary duty. Knowing the real estate process is in capable hands will give you the ultimate sense of comfort and confidence.  

By following these important tips, couples definitely will maximize the satisfaction they gain from the home buying experience.

If you’d like to get the most out of your home buying experience, go with the experts who practice these principles 24/7. Contact the caring professionals at The Coastal Property Experts to schedule your complimentary consultation. We promise you'll get what you want in the Laguna Beach real estate and Orange County real estate market…much sooner than you think.

Contact The Coastal Property Experts Today  949.922.8490

The Coastal Property Experts