Thinking of Buying a Home, Horse Property? Be Prepared

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

When looking for your new house, make sure to take into consideration how long you plan to stay there.

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will guide you through a smart home

buying process.

1. Know thyself

Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look

List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.

3. Get your finances in order

Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline

Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.

5. Think long term

Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®

Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents like Carol at Sunflower Homes & Equestrian to determine who have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality.

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Sunflower Homes certainly knows all about properties for sale in the Palm City, Florida area. 

7. Be realistic

It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit

It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

Check out this Website for EASY SEARCHING. I made it easy for you.

Looking for HORSE PROPERTY in South Florida? Here are two.

Palm Citys Horse Talk Market Trends: Good Morning

With a week of mixed reports being released, it was clear that more consumers are seeking a home purchase with low mortgage rates at this time. According to the National Association of Realtors, Pending Home Sales which are actual contract signings, increased 4.1 percent for the month of March. This number is 12.8 percent higher than March of 2011 and is an indication of improvement in the real estate market.  

These two beautiful properties are PENDING this month in Palm City, Florida. This illustrates the trend that folks are tired of big rental payments. If one can purchase, they should evaluate their finances and see what is best for them. These properties were listed and sold by Sunflower Homes and Equestrian, LLC. Palm City, Florida.

New Home Sales did not do as well and actually decreased 7.1 percent after revised February's numbers were increased. Even with a decrease, New Home Sales were 7.5 percent higher than in March, 2011. While the prices of existing homes remains down, borrowers have started to take action.

Sunflower Homes and Equestrian, LLC has a high rate of success. They specialize in personal service, the best marketing technology, and is interested in successful closings. Each client of Sunflower Homes gets continuous support while buying or selling. See what folks have to say about Carol Barron Cross, Broker/Owner Sunflower Homes and Equestrian.

"When my life turned upside down and I was choosing to relocate from New Jersey to Florida, thank goodness it was Carol who I chose to be my realtor and contact. She is professional and personable and really knows her stuff. Mine was not an easy closing especially because I was not in Florida and Carol really went above and beyond for me being available when I needed her, being able to step it up to the plate when necessary and being able to talk me off the ledge when I needed it. I thank my lucky stars it was her I worked with and I would recommend her in a heartbeat to anyone looking to purchase florida real estate. Thanks again Carol, for all your help. you were a godsend when I needed one most. 
Marci Rodriguez 
Owner, White Owl Farm 

"Carol is a very professional, educated and reliable Broker. She has always been a pleasure to work with or even chat with about the current real estate market, local events or even family. She works very hard to make sure her colleagues and customers have a smooth transaction. I look foward to our next deal together!! She is a highly recommended top-notch realtor!!" Melissa Conrad, Coldwell Banker.