Buying a house is a big investment. When my husband and I purchased our townhouse, it was actually the first and only place we had looked at. Luckily, we have loved our home, but are now looking for something bigger. I don't want to go with the first home I look at again - how many homes do you think is a good number to look at before picking?
2007-06-06 12:58:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Good question! The National Association of Realtors estimates that the average home buyer looks at between 8-10 homes before purchasing. That number has started to decrease with the amount of buyers now starting to search for homes on-line. The average "Internet" buyer only looks at between 3-5 homes before purchasing. They estimate this is because with access to pictures/virtual tours on line buyers are now able to eliminate more homes with out actually looking at them.
I recommend to my clients that we look at 5 or so at a time because with any more than that you can easily start to confuse what you saw at which home. It is important to take notes and pictures when you are looking at multiple homes.
If you don't already have a good agent to help you with your search let me know as I would be happy to refer you to a good one in your area. I work for a National company and we have offices everywhere!! Best of luck!
2007-06-06 13:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by Rosie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1
2007-06-06 13:03:18 · answer #2 · answered by work_thenplay 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no specific number. Again, it all depends. Do not limit yourself to a certain style or the photos on the realtor website... I looked at about 20-30 houses, but when I saw my home i "knew it was the one" and wrote the offer the next night! I liked a few of these, but none of them had the WOW factor like my home does...The photos of the house were very decieving and I dont think the realtor that the sellers used portrayed the home well. (Moral: do not just a house by the exterior)... experiment and visit homes that may not normally/automatically appeal to you. Drive around in the neighboorhoods you are considering to look for houses that may not yet be listed online. Go to open houses just to look even if the house is out of your price range or neighboorhood to get a feel for what you really like/want in your next home. I looked (the first time i was considering) for about 3 months and then took a break because I couldnt find my home, then when I started again, it took less than a month to find, write an offer and purchase my current home.
Have fun and Good Luck :)
2007-06-06 13:10:53 · answer #3 · answered by asweetangelseyes 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1 - my house.... lol
Seriously, as many as you like, until you find one that fits your needs. I went and looked at at least 7 houses with an agent and a bunch more by myself, about 8 others.
I, also, downloaded the available houses to a spreadsheet and sorted by different criteria to see what was available in the area I wanted. One thing I found. If the house was on the market for more than 2 months there was something wrong with it so those got crossed off my list. Most of the good houses were sold within a month easily.
However, I kind of knew what I wanted by the 5th house, but looked around some more to see that I didn't miss anything.
My criteria was - cost, big yard for pets and kids, school district, condition of the house... it had to be a house and no condos, townhomes or communties that had homeowner's associations and dues.
2007-06-06 13:07:29 · answer #4 · answered by Dave C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Realtor I would suggest you and your husband take the time to look at as many as it takes to find one that you love. It may take 1 weekend or 4.
So to help you out the first thing you can do is make a list of what you love about your townhouse, can you find these in a home? Also make a list of what you want, ex: 2 car garage, pool, shop, etc. Give this list to your Realtor so she/he will knows what to look for that way you are not waisting your time or theirs at places you would not find attractive.
2007-06-06 13:09:49 · answer #5 · answered by Kim P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's nice to have comparisons, but if you know what you want and find it in the first place, why wait, especially in a hot market.
My method is to make a list of everything I can't live without and then everything I'd like, but can do without. This always narrows down my search so I'm not wasting my time and a good real estate agent will further narrow down the search by researching the area, etc.
If you happen to get lucky again on the first house, then don't worry.
Good Luck
2007-06-06 13:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by LifesAMystery 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were in your situation, I would get a complete listing of houses in the price range/square footage you were wanting. Then eliminate all but those for what area you want to live in.
Once you have this list, LOOK AT THEM ALL
And...never buy a house without it being inspected by a 3rd Party. City housing commissions usually have inspectors you can have inspect the house(s).
2007-06-06 13:08:48 · answer #7 · answered by michael_white2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As many as you need to...don't fall into the pressure of having to pick...it's a huge investment...you're not there to please anyone but your own needs...but i know once an expert said most people don't make offers until they have seen at least 8-13 places...good luck!
2007-06-06 13:10:55 · answer #8 · answered by Lioness 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should look at atleast 2 homes; more would be better though.
2007-06-06 13:07:08 · answer #9 · answered by me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋