Are you planning to relocate and looking for a healthy home, but can’t visit ahead of time? Fear not, with some research and savvy internet skills, living in paradise in the future can become a reality. According to to The National Association of Realtors (NAR) more people than ever are buying homes sight unseen. Prior to COVID-19, around 3% of homes were purchased virtually. This trend jumped to around 20% when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, and has continued with great success. One realtor in the US said that he’s sold millions of dollars worth of property sight unseen, and the trend is on the rise. Given this amount of inspiration are you keen to get your research started? Then let’s dive into five helpful tips now on how to find a healthy home online.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online #1 Determine Priorities
Looking for a new home online, rather than walking through in-person before you buy can seem a little scary. But it doesn’t have to be if you delve seep into the homes history, quality and charm before you buy. Arming yourself with enough knowledge about the home lets you invest wisely, and it ensures your health stays at an optimum during what can be a stressful process.
Where To Start Your Search
So, where do you begin? Well, before you start looking online for a home at some of the more reputable real estate sites, such as Domain and RealEstate if you’re search for a property in Australia, it’s essential to identify your top priorities in a home. By doing a little groundwork before you start looking you narrow down your selections, which will save you a great deal of time and effort in your quest to find your healthy home.
Knowing What You Want
The essentials are location, price range, layout, and size. Ask yourself if you need a 2, 3, 4 or 5 bedroom home. How many baths you require? How much land? And what state, city and suburb do you prefer? Do you need car parking? Does your home have to be close to work, public transport or the airport? How much can you afford to repay on a mortgage? Do you have a deposit? What price range can you afford to buy in? Knowing all of these factors before hunting for your perfect spot lets you determine what matters most. Plus, it will ensure the search is fun, instead of a hassle.Â
Let The Search Begin
Once you’ve narrowed down what you want and where, then it’s time to get a feel for the market. Now is the time to start visiting real estate sites. The larger listing sites let you get a feel for the market. Plus, you can view home photos, gather more information about your areas of interested, and you’ll get an indication of how far your budget will stretch.
HOT TIP – The more research you do, the better you’ll be able to get a feel for the area and the homes you like.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online #2 Get Finance Sorted
Now that you’ve had a taste of the market and confirmed that you’re ready to buy, the next step is to find out how much you can borrow. Initially you can use a mortgage calculator to gain an estimate. If the amount you wish to borrow and monthly repayments match your budget, contact a broker and make an appointment to get your home loan application sorted. Gaining pre-approval for a home loan means that when you find the right healthy home for you that you can then make an offer subject to finance and a professional building inspection.
HOT TIP – Get your finance sorted as soon as possible to save disappointment. This approach will enable you to buy your dream home without a hiccup.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online #3 Virtual Tours
Virtual house tours are one way of getting familiar with potential homes without having to do any physical traveling. You can now visit prospective homes online and experience them as if you were there. Many websites offer 3-D walkthroughs that put you right in the middle of the home, allowing you to take your time exploring its features and amenities. This can give you an incredible sense of what it would be like to live in the residence while saving time and money with travel expenses. In addition, virtual house tours allow future homeowners to make decisions confidently and learn more about where they are looking to relocate. So, once your finance is sorted, it’s time to step up your home search. Find several you’re interested in and then contact the agents to arrange a virtual tour.
HOT TIP – Make sure a home ticks all the points on your ‘Wish List’ before you ask an agent to arrange a virtual tour. This strategy will let you manage your time effectively.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online #4 Arrange A Home Health Check
Before you make an offer on any home you want to know that it’s healthy. A home health check can be carried out by a qualified builder, pest inspector, and other professionals such as electricians, plumbers and even pool and solar technicians. Spending a little more and on checking the house’s soundness ensures that you get a healthy home that you’ll love for many years. This strategy reduces your stress levels and let’s you sleep better at night.
HOT TIP – Rather than looking for individual tradespeople to inspect your home, visit a home inspection group that have technicians who have multiple qualifications enabling you to buy a package and save.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online #5 Make An Offer Get Moving
Once you’ve found the perfect heathy home for you, then it’s time to put in your offer subject to finance, and a building and pest inspection. After finance approval, the tick of health from the inspectors and acceptance of your offer, then it’s time for you to book a removalist. To ensure that long-distance moving goes as smoothly as possible, it is essential to do your research to find movers you can trust. Research online forums and customer reviews to find out what past customers have said about their experiences with long-distance moving companies. Also ask family and friends about their expereinces and if they can refer you to any one reputable.
HOT TIP – When you make an offer on a property the agent will get you to sign a contract. At this time, make sure you put in what your offer is subject to, such as finance and any inspections.
How To Find A Healthy Home Online Key Takeaways
Sure, it may be challenging to find the perfect home without being able to see it in person, but by following a few essential tips, you can make sure that you end up in a healthy house that suits your needs and wants. You deserve to love where you live, and to feel comfortable in your home–this is where healthy living begins. So go and explore your options today–you never know what you’ll find.
RECAP
To recap, how to find a healthy home online in 5 steps is as follows:
- Determine priorities.
- Get finance sorted.
- Virtual tours.
- Arrange a home health check.
- Make an offer and get moving.
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