Somewhere in between the logic of demographics and the stalking skill of the big game hunter, lies the fine art of the passionate house hunter.  This particular type of house hunter, the passionate one, is often misled into a search for the “perfect” house.

Key to happiness and living together. Love and dream. Woman hand holds little red heart with keys to new home house flat apartment holding by man.

 

Like the perfect spouse, the perfect house would be very difficult to find.  Be aware that hunting the “perfect” house is like pursuing a unicorn–it probably does not exist.

 

Palm State Mortgage Company does not want you to become discouraged and be resigned to renter’s limbo all your life.  So, we have created a little guide to objectivity within this blog article.

House Hunting:  A Comparison with Dating

As a recent article in Zillow stated, a house hunter in pursuit of a house is like a man or woman pursuing a spouse.  You must see a series of homes, “much like going on dates, before finding “the one” and settling down, or purchasing.”

Part of this life-time journey is involved in not getting seduced by the wrong one—house or spouse—Our advise is, “Don’t fall in love too easily!”

Likewise, don’t take house hunting advice from the wrong person.

Pay attention to the professionals, although friends and family will all haunt you with their advice.  Every home buying journey is unique, and you might not profit from counseling by your best friend’s cousin.

Passionate House Hunter’s Tip Number 1:  Know the Market.

Controlling your passionate house hunter instincts can be difficult.  However, below we have some tips to keep you from buying a house that is wrong for you.  You would not go treasure hunting without a map, and Palm State thinks you must do some research to find the house that comes closest to your ideal.  To do this, you might have to curb your passion for the actual hunt long enough to learn about the market in the area you like.  Do not fall in love with a house too quickly.  That road can lead to heartbreak.  Research and professional help are your friends.

Passionate House Hunter’s Tip Number 2  Visit Many Houses

As in dating, the passionate house hunter needs to see quite a few houses as he or she learns about the market.  Visiting a lot of houses and learning about the market will prepare the passionate hunter for the big moment when he or she discovers the incredible, almost perfect one.

Passionate House Hunter’s Tip Number 3: Beware of the Seller!

Dealer handing keys to happy young coupleHunting for a house with your heart on your sleeve can get you hurt by the seller. Beware!

Once you find the house you think you want, be aware the seller could set you up for pain.  You see, the homeowner is in no way obligated to sell to you.  Many housing markets lack inventory now.  And there are lots of shoppers out there!

Therefore, you might not win the home even if you offer the asking price.  At times our passionate house hunters have been out-offered, not only by the total amount, but by attractive figures like a larger cash down-payment.

Likewise some passionate house hunters lose their dream house because they cannot offer a quick closing.  Perhaps you are waiting to sell your “old” house, or you are not prepared to move from one city to another yet.  So our advice is to avoid starting your love affair with a house until are aware of the competition in your market.

The Passionate House Hunter and Obsession

We advise the passionate house hunter to avoid the temptation to obsess over one home.

You might already know you need to make some lists, but take the step-by-step advice below seriously.  Here’s an objective way to restrain the Passionate House Hunter within you.

It’s a simple academic exercise that can help you overcome the temptation to obsess.  These simple steps can help you avoid the pain of leaping before you look—right into a bad situation.

The Objective Cure for House Obsession

  • Take the time to write down a list of your wants in a home.
  • Now, write down your list of needs.
  • The third contains your top “must have” wishes for your home.  These are your basic requirements.
  • Your fourth list is comprised of the little extras: the amenities it would just be nice to find in your home.
  • Your fifth list describes the top deal breakers you are totally unwilling to compromise.

Seeing the Perfect House:  The Apparition!

We can warn passionate house hunters that you might find a house that meets all the criteria on your lists, but it will be:

a.    too expensive for your budget,

b.   Or too far away from your job.

c.   Or it will already have an owner!

When you encounter such an impossible house, forget it completely and immediately. 

A passionate house hunter, struggles with objectivity, focus and logic.  He or she can be carried away emotionally by desire for a certain house.

At Palm State, we can help you understand all the pitfalls of house hunting, and the financial difficulties involved in overly emotional decisions.

Look, in real life, you must make some compromises. This is very true in buying a home.

The Final Cure for Your Obsession:  One Three-Point Shopping List!

So go back to all those lists you Hand giving a key young blurred couplemade and narrow them down to one list:  That list contains only your top three “must have” qualities.  Now you are really ready to hunt.

At Palm State Mortgage Company we do not mean to discourage your enthusiasm for your hunting down a wonderful home.  We simply want to help you to focus your energy.

We want you to find a home that can bring you many years of happiness.  We will help you transform from a passionate house hunter to a passionate home owner. Find out more in Part 2 of our Advice for the Passionate House Hunter, next week.

Meanwhile, have no regrets. Be aware of the words of the logical Mr. Spock when he fights for the wrong woman in Star Trek, “Sometimes having is not as good as wanting.”