Dasmarka Real Estate

Although looking for a new home can be an exciting adventure, it can also be a time of stress. Doing your research early and planning well ahead of time can help make this a fun experience. Here are some points to keep in mind:

1. Make a list of the features your next home must have, what you would it like to have and what’s not important to you. It’s important to spend time getting acquainted with the different types of homes on the market. This way you’ll have the confidence needed to move quickly when your dream homes comes on the market.

2. Know the answers to these questions:

• What style of home do you prefer?
• What are the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
• What’s more important: the type of home or the location?
• How long are you planning to live in the home?
• Does the house have to be in ‘move in’ condition or are you prepared to fix it up?
• Are the schools in the area important to you?
• Are there features you can’t live without? ie. main floor laundry, central air, etc.
• How flexible are you? If you want a double car garage and you find a home that’s perfect in every other way, can you live with a single car garage?

3. Make sure you’re pre-qualified by a mortgage broker to determine the maximum price you can pay for a home. Also figure out much money you’ll need to have left for other expenses such as legal fees and any work you may want to do on the home.

4. Determine how important location is to you. Some people want to be closer to their work or their families. View different areas and find out what amenities are in each area. If you have or are planning on having children, compare the different local schools to one another.

5. If you like a certain area, note the value of other homes nearby. It’s best if the house is equal to or less than others in the area. If the home you like is considerably more expensive than others on the street it may be more difficult to sell in the future.

6. When it comes to deciding between older vs. newer homes, you may have a fixed idea of what you prefer but make sure you know the pros and cons of each. Older homes may have lots of character and enjoy a prime location but often require more maintenance and are less efficient. Newer homes on the other hand are designed for today’s family with functionality in mind. On the downside, they’re often located in unestablished areas with ongoing construction.

7. When you view a home, don’t be put off if that orange shag carpet isn’t for you! The key here is to visualize the place with your furniture and decor choice. If for example they have more stylish, expensive furniture just ignore it because the room won’t look the same with your yours in it. If you’re willing to paint and/or re-carpet, try to visualize what the room would look like with your decor and furniture.

Finding your dream home can be frustrating but I’ve come up with a system that makes it fun and easy! Simply visit my website to let me know what you’re looking for in a home and I’ll email you full MLS updates of homes matching your criteria as soon as they hit the market! This is a free service and there’s no obligation. Now you’re able to sit back and enjoy the process instead of worrying about missing out on your dream home.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710


Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.