Whenever I am working with new clients, I find that having a formal meeting at my Keller Williams office in Devon is the best setting to educate my clients on the process, give them details on what to expect, and a list to prepare themselves for buying their new home. Professionally and personally, I like to think of it as an educational hour and a get-to-know each other session, so that both my clients and I are on the same page and know each other’s expectations.

Professionally and most importantly, I need to know where they want to live, what they are looking for in a house and what their price range for their new home is. Personally, I am interested in the type of field they work in, if they have any children, where they grew up, etc. Since I am invested in my clients, with many of them becoming good friends, I enjoy taking the time to learn more about them.

Some buyers can be confused by the home buying process, some are first time homebuyers and do not know where to start, or some buyers may not think of helpful tips to make the home buying process a bit smoother, so here are some of the do’s and don’ts that I have learned from my experience as a realtor that I have told my clients who are searching for a home in West Chester:

1) I always suggest client’s drive around the neighborhoods they are interested in living. The houses they are looking at online may appear nice in the pictures, but if it is located in a neighborhood or school district you are not interested in, you won’t be interested in purchasing it. Get the feel for the neighborhood you want to live in.
2) When we are looking at homes, I suggest buyers bring the following items with them:
a. A Flashlight: You may be wondering why a flashlight, even if it’s a bright day when you are looking at homes, there will always dark spots in the house that you want to look at better and a small flashlight will go a long way. You may think the light on your cell phone will be sufficient, but they are not always effective.
b. Pen and paper: I always provide the listings details when we go and visit the homes. It’s great to take notes to keep track of homes you like or concerns you may have. When you walk through five-ten homes in a few hours you can forget or become tired. Taking NOTES always help refresh your memory later.
c. A Checklist of your must haves: It will help you rank homes and keep track of the most important items in a home, instead of getting side-tracked.
d. An Open mind to the homes you see: Buyers tend to get lost in the color of the walls, the sellers furniture and decorations. All of these items can be changed or will be removed before you purchase the house. Instead, try to imagine the walls painted in the colors you will choose and your furniture and belongings in the house.