So you have decided that you’re going to buy a home and now all of a sudden, everyone comes out of the woodwork telling you what you should and what you shouldn’t do. This will happen every single time regardless of how many times you’ve been through the process. Everyone has something to say and likely each, and every opinion has some validity that was true for them at that time. The key here is making sure that you have the right team of professionals in place for you and you’re asking around, asking all the questions. And in the end, go with your gut! You’re the expert because you know what YOU want!

Buyers with a plan find the right home faster. When you know your must-haves, like-to-haves, and don’t-wants, the search becomes more focused. You’ll waste less time on homes that don’t fit, and you’ll recognize the perfect home the moment it comes up. Here's an example: Buyer’s Home Planning List ✅ Must Have (Non-negotiables) These are the essentials that the home must meet. If these aren’t present, the home is not a fit. - Home Style & Design: (e.g., single-story, two-story, modern, traditional, open-concept, accessible layout) - Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Minimum number (e.g., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths) - Square Footage: Minimum interior living space (e.g., 2,200+ sq. ft.) - Lot/Outdoor Space: Yard size, privacy, fenced yard, or space for pool/outdoor living - Location: - Safety & Noise: Low-traffic street, no major road behind property - Amenities: Garage size (2-3 car), laundry room, home office space - Condition: Move-in ready (no major repairs needed) 💡 Like to Have (Nice extras, but not deal breakers) These are desirable features that would enhance the home but aren’t mandatory. - Finishes: Upgraded kitchen (granite/quartz, newer appliances), modern bathrooms - Special Features: Fireplace, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, pantry, bonus/loft room - Outdoor: Covered patio, built-in BBQ, pool/spa, landscaped yard - Energy Efficiency: Solar panels, dual-pane windows, smart home systems - Community Amenities: Gated community, clubhouse, pool, lake, or gym - Views: City lights, hills, lakefront, golf course - Convenience: Proximity to shopping, freeway access, hospitals - Future Growth: Room for ADU, expansion, or rental opportunity 🚫 Don’t Want (Deal breakers) These are features or conditions that would immediately eliminate a property from consideration. - Location Issues: - Layout/Design: Choppy or closed floor plan, low ceilings, small bedrooms - Condition: Major deferred maintenance, outdated systems (roof, plumbing, electrical) - HOA Concerns: Very high fees, restrictive rules, poorly managed association - Lot Issues: Steep hillside, limited parking, no yard or outdoor space - Style Preferences: Don’t want a condo/townhome, split-level, or certain architectural styles - Other: No garage, poor natural light, strong odors (pets, smoke)

Mortgage rates just had their biggest one-day drop in over a year. They fell to the lowest they've been since last October. And that shift matters. Compared to when rates were at 7% earlier this year, that could mean your future monthly payment is now about $200 lower. Or, on the other hand, this interest rate drop will increase the purchase power that you qualify for or what you feel comfortable with.

1. Total Cost of Ownership (Not Just the Mortgage) - Many buyers focus only on their monthly mortgage payment and forget about property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, utilities, maintenance, and repair costs. - This often leads to “payment shock” when the first full month of bills arrives. 2. Neighborhood & Lifestyle Fit - They fall in love with the house but don’t fully vet the neighborhood—commute times, noise, school ratings, future development plans, or even how walkable it is. - After moving in, they realize the community doesn’t match their lifestyle. 3. Room to Grow / Resale Value - Buyers sometimes choose the “perfect starter home” without considering future needs (kids, pets, home office, multi-generational living). - They also regret not thinking about resale factors—like floorplan appeal, upgrades, or location—that will impact their ability to sell down the road. 👉 In short: money, lifestyle, and future planning are the big 3 blind spots.

Over the past few weeks, mortgage rates hit their lowest point of the year – and it was big news. So, what you need to know if you’re buying a home is, whenever these shifts happen (whether they’re now or later), even a small change in rates can make a big difference in your monthly payment. While major drops in mortgage rates aren’t projected for the rest of 2025, smaller declines are still expected – depending on where the economy goes from here. If you want to see what the math looks like at another home loan amount or mortgage rate, let us know and we can run the numbers for you, so you can plan ahead.