Home buying is the biggest financial commitment you will make in your life. Although times have changed, having your very own home still remains the cornerstone of an American Dream.
Buying a home is exciting but you shouldn’t let your anticipation get the better of you. It’s important that you know and understand the home buying process.
Greg Barber from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty can help you with anything you need – from a basic step-by-step overview to a property comparison checklist. Greg can also help you find the best mortgage option possible. Whether you are a first time home buyer in the Wilmington area or are in need of a real estate refresher course, Greg can provide you with the services you are looking for.
Finding Your Home
If it weren’t for the Internet, finding your home would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Our database makes it easier for you to simply search all properties for sale in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, downtown and all areas in between. You can use our MLS Wizard to easily find the Wilmington home you are looking for.
When buying a home in Wilmington, North Carolina, one of the most important things to consider is the neighborhood. The neighborhood you choose, whether it is in Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, the Monkey Junction area, downtown or any of the other surrounding areas, must be a good match for what you are looking for.
Here are some tips on examining and assessing neighborhoods:
1) Check the properties that surround the home you plan to buy.
2) The neighborhood must be constantly improving and not deteriorating.
3) Ask your Wilmington realtor if there are large chain stores and/or grocery stores that will open soon.
4) Compare the number of “for sale” with the number of “for rent” signs. Remember that more owners are better than more renters.
5) Check the condition and maintenance of the streets.
6) If you pass by houses, check the quality of the cars of the other homeowners. If these are new and well-maintained, it says something good about your potential neighborhood.
7) Ask your Wilmington realtor how long the other houses near your home have been there.
Check the crime statistics.
9) Look at the school district and the rating of schools.
10) See if there are hospitals, shopping centers, fire stations, police stations, sporting facilities and recreation parks near or within the area.
11) Talk to neighbors that live there. This alone will give you great insight into the area.
Working with a Realtor
It’s true what they say. You must think twice before you buy anything, especially if you are buying a home. Home buying should not be something you do alone.
With the help of the Internet, you can search for your Wilmington home all on your own – but that shouldn’t be the case. By turning to an experienced and professional Wilmington real estate agent, finding your dream home will be easier and faster. Experienced realtors can show you suitable properties and offer valuable advice at the same time. This will save you a tremendous amount of time.
Finding the Right Realtor for You
Chemistry is the key. Credentials are important but if you do not click with your agent then your collaboration is pointless. You want a Wilmington real estate agent who listens to your needs and provides you personal and hands on service from the start until the end.
Here are some tips on how you can find the right realtor for you.
- Social Proof. Ask your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers if they know people. Referrals are always better because this means they worked with them before.
- Listen to your inner voice. By that, we mean trust your intuition.
- Open up to your realtor. Let him into your lifestyle and share with him your tastes, needs, and dreams for your home.
- Focus your search on a few geographic areas. You have many options when it comes to Wilmington house hunting, it is best that you just go for the locations you most desire.
As the buyer, you also have a right to ask your realtor the following questions:
- How well do you know the area(s) that interest me?
A good Wilmington real estate agent will know the neighborhoods or locations that you are interested in. They must know the history of these areas as well as have good insight into the local market. - How many other clients do you represent?Your Wilmington real estate agent must be as committed to you as you are with them. The best Wilmington realtors will give you their personalized attention and will communicate with you effectively and have a good understanding of what you want, regardless of how busy they are.
- Will you handle all my transaction personally or do you have an administrative assistant whom you delegate some tasks to?It’s up to you whether you want to work with a busy agent. Busy agents can mean they are good agents. Sometimes it is imperative they delegate to an assistant as long as they are delegating effectively. Meet the assistant and make sure you like them as well.
The main thing to remember when selecting a Wilmington realtor to work with is Social Proof. This will tell you everything you need to know about them.
