Patience is a virtue in life, but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home isn’t what it is. That’s why the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may delay your dream of homeownership. As Bankrate explains:
“One of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes is looking for a home that checks each of your boxes. Looking for perfection can narrow your choices and lead you to pass over good, suitable options for starter homes in the hopes that something better will come along.”
The Cost of Holding Out for Perfection
Nothing in life is perfect – that’s true regarding a home, too. Unless you’re building your new home from the ground up, chances are there will be some features or finishes you wouldn’t have picked. It shouldn’t be as simple as paint colors, a light fixture, or the bathroom or kitchen tile. Or even that the backyard isn’t fenced in. It could also be that the home is excellent, but it’s not the ideal location you hoped it was.
But here’s the trade-off you’d be making without realizing it. You’d spend that time searching for the perfect place, and you’d overlook a lot of homes that would’ve been ideal for you. U.S. News explains:
“. . . you may miss opportunities if you enter the process with blinders on and aren’t open-minded . . . Countless potential buyers never buy because of this, and thus miss great investments or never move on to the next chapter of their lives.”
It’s Time To Redefine Perfection
Especially with affordability and inventory where they are today, buying a home that needs some updates, is a few neighborhoods away from your ideal location, or doesn’t have all your desired features cannot move. Here’s why.
For starters, these homes are more affordable, which is essential when some buyers struggle to find options in their budget.
And they give you a chance to make the space your own or discover a whole new area of town. You may find out you love that neighborhood. Or, swapping out a feature here or there after move-in isn’t a big deal. So, look past the green shag carpet and see that it isn’t the house. You can turn a good home into a fantastic one with some vision and creativity.
How an Agent Helps You Explore Your Options
Let your agent know if you’re open to a home that needs a little elbow grease or if you’re a bit further out. They’ll be happy to show you how this can open up your pool of homes. They’ll help coach you through this process by:
1. Prioritizing Your Must-Haves: Your agenThey’ll want to revisit your wish list and separate your non-negotiables from your nice-to-haves. From there, they’ll focus on what’s most important to you as they come up with more developed options they’ll.
2. Coachwhat’su To See the Potential: As you tour these added options, your agent will help you look beyond cosmetic flaws and imagine what the home could be with a bit of work. Simple updates like a fresh coat of paint or new flooring can make a big difference.
3. Connecting You with Local Pros: An agent’s support goes one step further. If they know what you’re hoping to change after you move in, they can conneagent’swith local pros who can get the job done. That way, you’ll have less work and won’t have to worry about tracking down contractors.
Bottom Line
Remember, there’s no perfect home there. But with experience and an open mind, we can find you the right home—even in today’s market. Let’s connect to see what’s out there.
