Finding homes for sale that meet your criteria, fit your price range, and are in a perfect location for your family is a difficult task. You may feel overwhelmed and frustrated at the thought of wading through newspapers ads, scouring online websites and randomly driving up and down preferred streets. We have all been there at one time or another.

How do you find homes for sale that meet your needs?

The best answer is to partner with a professional estate agent. As a licensed property agent, I have to admit that most of my clients have quite a laundry list when it comes to shopping for their new home. It has taken a little practice, but my first discussion is to openly and honestly suggest that we analyze “the list”. Is what they want truly affordable in their price range?

As we initiate our walk down this path, I suggest that we first run a debt to income profile on the client. We then move to a pre-approval phase in which a local lender or mortgage broker sets up a few possible financial scenarios providing us with a price range in which we should embark on our real estate quest.

The one thing that cannot be changed is the location of a property. With that in mind, that is the first criteria that we must meet. The next criterion to focus on is the size of the property. This can be a deal breaker for most clients so you need to address this issue immediately. Once the first two criteria have been met, the real work begins. The number of bedrooms and bath help to narrow the ’shopping’ list.

As the list is compiled, the top three contenders are analyzed for any other amenities that seem appealing to the client. As the first showing appointment is scheduled, remember not to see more than two or three homes in one time period. Most buyers cannot absorb any more information than three home viewings, and it just complicates the situation to schedule more.

Now comes the important part.

As you listen to your client’s speak about the first three properties, you need to focus on the emotional response. How they feel is as important as what they say. Invariably, the list changes based on their visceral response to the first three homes viewed. Now set up three more based on the emotion, but remember to add the favourite from the first showing appointment. After two or three appointments, you have a list of two or three ‘best’ homes that surpass all the others. You are now well on your way to finding that dream home!

It is not ‘luck’ nor an act of a higher power that people stumble upon this perfect home. It is doing your prep work in advance and following the guidance of your real estate professional.