When you are hoping to find a property to buy on a brief house hunting trip, having a strategy is essential. In order to make confident and efficient decisions during your house hunting weekend, be it for a personal residence or an investment property, keep these tips in mind.
1. Connect with a real estate agent before you arrive
The first, and possibly most important tip is to begin talking with a local real estate agent long before you arrive in town. Beginning to establish a relationship with a professional you can trust, and allowing them to understand your needs so they can begin to line up showings for you, is essential.
If you are looking for property in Panama City Beach, that’s where we come in. Whether it’s a beachfront condo, a fixer upper, a potential vacation rental property, or a home to retire in, we would love to help you find what you are looking for in Panama City Beach. Contact us any time to get started or learn more.
We can begin looking at potential properties for you, doing video call walkthroughs or helping you rule out properties after we get more information. Even before you arrive, you’ll be glad you have an agent on the ground working for you.
2. Make sure you know your budget
Securing pre-approval before you begin house hunting is essential. If you are hoping to find a property efficiently, the last thing you want to do is find something you like only to discover you either cannot be approved for the asking price or to have someone else make an offer before you are able.
Remember, pre-qualification is a good first step, but you really need pre-approval to be able to make an offer. This will also allow you to make confident decisions, knowing exactly what your budget is.
3. Write down a list of your must-haves, and a wish list
Before you arrive to begin house hunting, make a clear list of your wants and needs in the property. If you are shopping with a partner, work together to create a list, with a clear delineation between must-haves and wish list items.
For example, the amount of work a property needs, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms it has, space for a pet, and the price point are likely all going to make it on the needs list. A wish list might also include a certain architectural style, a pool, or a screened in porch. Only you can really decide what is a dealbreaker and what is a selling point on the home for you, but take the time to determine these things before you start the house hunt.
4. Research locations before you arrive
Even after you have decided on Panama City Beach as the right location, you will need to do a little more research to narrow it down even further. Ask yourself questions like these:
- If you are buying a vacation rental property, is this area in high demand?
- What schools are nearby, and does that matter for us?
- How far is the beach? Shopping? Restaurants? Airport?
- Are there any restrictions that would limit my renovation plans?
- How walkable is the neighborhood?
Picking a few neighborhoods that will suit your plans for the property will help you spend your house hunting time well. The last thing you want to do is waste your time looking at houses that ultimately won’t ever work because of their location.
Ready to get started planning your house hunting trip? Contact us any time.