By Holly Roberson, Guest Contributor
Making the transition from “house hunter ” to “homeowner ” is one of the most exciting and monumental life events. Whether it’s your first home in Charleston SC, or your third out-of-state vacation home, the process is about the same. From finding the right neighborhood, to making the house yours, these five simple steps will help guide you in the process and make sure you find the perfect home!
- Determine YOUR geographic happy place.
A wise man once told me to “find a place where people like to do the same things you do, and you’ll quickly make friends and call it ‘home‘ much faster. ” Maybe you grew up here and it’s finally time to get your own “nest” and you know exactly what neighborhood is right for you. After all, you have grown up with the city and have seen the trends first hand. Maybe you are one of 42 people moving to the Charleston area every day and are looking to discover your Charleston. Regardless of how you happened upon the Holy City, starting the hunt means choosing the right area that suits your lifestyle. The house hunt is a lot like any other hunt – there is a lot of sitting, watching, and property stalking, then finally going in for the win… and engaging a professional hunter (aka Realtor) is a way to make the whole deal more efficient and successful.
- Determine your true budget.
A lot of people (and some sellers) will push you to go beyond your budget. Don’t do it. Stick to your budget, but make sure it’s realistic. Have you met with your financial planner? Having a tax plan in advance can be a big boost – you might be able to afford more house than you think because of the interest credit (as long as we have that tax break). But, just because you are paying $4,200/month in rent does not mean that you should buy a $900,000 house. Even with your down payment, take into consideration potential flood insurance in the lowcountry, future repairs, and tax assessments. Then, get approved for financing. Trust me, get the underwriting done ahead of time so that when that house pops into view, your offer is as quick and fast as any cash offer.
- Engage a licensed realtor to start the hunt for you.
Licensed realtors know the local market and cannot only help you find the right houses to look at from the current inventory, but can also assist you with comparative valuations to help you craft an offer. A good Charleston real estate agent will save you time and headaches by doing the search for you. They will listen to your preferences and really get to know you and the lifestyle you’re searching for. Communicate clearly with your agent about your preferences; it’s the only way to make sure you get what you want. What are your absolute must haves? What are your absolutely “no way I don’t wants? ” Listen to the advice you get from your realtor. They may know that with your list, location and price, there may be another neighborhood that suits you better. Even though you build a “dream home ” list, keep an open mind!
- Get the house.
Once you have lined up your financing and engaged a Charleston realtor who has learned your tastes, lifestyle and budget, you are prepared to close on your house. Let your real estate agent do the heavy lifting and be sure to enjoy the process of seeing homes. Take your checklist with you to compare houses as it will help when it comes time to make an offer. Once you and your realtor determine the best offer and it’s accepted, you might find you have a window of free time where all the time you spent looking at listings will now be substituted with renovations idea boards and room planning. Just make sure that if you are buying with plans to sell in the near future, you make your renovations count. Closing day will bring the joy of new keys and a move. Here’s what to expect at the closing table.
- Make the house your home.
The best way to make a house a home as quickly as possible is to unpack, settle in and HANG THE ART. I find that hanging the art and adding a vase of fresh flowers inspires me to knock out the mundane tasks like unpacking kitchen gadgets. If you work long hours and don’t see how you can get it all done, consider hiring a specialist (like Home Organizing by Jen) to come unpack and organize for you – you can always “edit” the work later, but for now, it will be a task completed. Send out those change of address forms, meet your neighbors, hire the painters, and unpack the closet. Tip: Start a file for your new home and include any repair costs or major purchases. When you go to sell your home, this information will help you take full advantage of the write-offs for which you are eligible.
Note: Sure, there are certainly some challenges that may crop up during your house hunting adventure, but getting the home you’ve always dreamed of, just might make it all seem worth it. Whether you already live locally, or are moving to Charleston for the first time, our guide below answers a lot of the questions that may crop up along the way – and makes the journey from House Hunter to Homeowner a little easier to navigate …
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