New Year, New Home. How to Make it Happen

This beginning of the new year is a time when many people reflect and set their goals for the months ahead/. As you picture what you want your 2025 to look like, one thing that can come to mind is a vision of you in a new home. But how do you get there? Where do you start?

Here’s some advice that can help you get the ball rolling.

Focus on Your Why

To lay the foundation, you need to focus on your why. While the dollars and cents are important — like current interest rates — so is the driving force behind your desire to move. Maybe you need more space for a growing family; want to sell so you can downsize, or are finally ready to buy your first home. Whatever your reason, it’s important to keep it front and center.

Your why is what helps you stay focused. You can share your motivation with us and we can use our expertise to help support that goal, no matter what the market looks like. We can guide you, help problem-solve, and keep you moving forward until you can check that goal off your to-do list.

Get Clear on What You Need

Then it’s time to figure out what your next home needs to have. How many bedrooms do you need? If you don’t have a designated home office, is that a deal-breaker? What about a big fenced-in backyard? Knowing your must-haves and nice-to-haves makes the search a lot smoother.

Since affordability is still tight, it’s important to have a clear idea of your essential items upfront. Maybe you can flex a bit on location, if a home has everything else you’re looking for. You can focus on the houses that check the boxes that matter most while staying within your price range.

Know Your Numbers

Before you jump in, take a look at your finances. How much have you saved? What monthly payment feels comfortable? Getting clear on your budget early will help you know what’s possible.

If you don’t have a lender, we can connect you with one of the several well-qualified and reputable ones we work with. They can pre-approve you for a mortgage, which will give you parameters to work in. A lender can also make you aware of certain special finance programs that exist for public safety and first responders, for example.

Lean on a Pro To Guide You

It can be hard to know where to start, but you don’t have to do it alone. We know what you need to do to get ready to buy or sell, how to navigate the process, and can answer your questions every step of the way. As Bankrate puts it: “. . . now more than ever, it’s smart to lean on the guidance of an experienced local real estate agent. If you want to enter the housing market in 2025, whether as a buyer or a seller, let a pro lead the way for you.”

Bottom Line

If buying or selling a home is part of your goals for this year, now’s the time to get started. Focus on your why, know what you need, and connect with us to make it happen. Let’s team up and make 2025 the year you accomplish your real estate resolutions.

Let’s talk soon…

Mari and Hank

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.