Earlier this week I made a rare trip to the mall to drop off what I assumed would be a quick return. I have grown so accustomed to completing my shopping online, from the comfort of my own home, sipping my coffee and wearing sweatpants, that this trip felt like a real Event.
While the return itself took approximately 30 seconds (customer service these days, am I right?), driving around the parking lot looking for a spot took approximately—and this is not even an exaggeration—30 minutes. All this occurred while the mall’s speakers blasted terrible Christmas music at an unnecessarily loud volume. By the end of my search, I was humming weirdly to myself, rocking back and forth in my seat, and—not sound too dramatic but—feeling like I was in trapped in one of Dante’s nine circles of hell.
What I mean to say is, the holiday season’s hustle and bustle can quickly become overwhelming. However, as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, because the market is calmer and less competitive, late fall and winter can be excellent times to buy a home.
How to ease the stress of buying a home during the holiday season, then? First, as always, get in touch with Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397 so that their experts can perform the hard work for you. Second, read on for a few tips.
1. Buy now, sell later.
The winter season is full of sellers who are motivated and ready close. Some real estate experts advise buyers to purchase a new home now, then put their old property on the market after the New Year, when the holidays have calmed down.
2. Clarify what you want.
Make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in your new home. While the Pickett Street Team is truly amazing, they can’t (not yet at least!) read your mind. So, the buying process will proceed much more smoothly if you make a list of your priorities. These priorities may include: number of bedrooms and bathrooms, desired square footage, distance to work, age of the home, type of exterior, and so forth.
3. Be flexible.
That said, while you should have a few priorities in mind while shopping, expect to make a few compromises as well. (No matter the season, buying a home usually involves letting go of a few expectations to create space for fortuitous surprises.) Many buyers hope to spend one last holiday in their old home, but prepare yourself to close on a new home whenever the opportunity arises.
4. Get pre-approved for a mortgage loan.
Money Crashers recommends that you clean up your credit by paying bills on time and paying off consumer debt. (Even if you’re not in the market to buy a home, this step is just a generally smart habit to practice.) Check out our conversation with Pickett Street’s preferred mortgage lender Cody Touchette for more information.
5. Save.
Buying a home doesn’t just require savings for that down payment—you should also set money aside for closing costs, including origination fees, discount points, title insurance, title search, underwriting fees, recording fees, and credit report fees.
However, if you’re worried that you don’t have enough savings to make that down payment, keep in mind these five methods to buy a home with zero down.
In addition to these steps, don’t forget to contact Pickett Street first (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397) to ease the buying process this winter.