I bought my first home as a single woman in Austin in January 2017. Despite the large percentage of single women home buyers, there is very little information geared towards this growing segment. That’s why we’ve created our Single Women Home Buyers Series. We’ll be covering a long list of common concerns and questions, but if you have a specific issue we encourage you to email us so we can help!
Do I Really Have Time to Buy a Home?
Taking time off my job to find a home was a huge concern for me. I also didn’t want to spend all of my free time looking for a home so I took advantage of all of the help and technology at my disposal.
Personalized Home Searches
After a consultation with my Realtor, she set me up on a personalized home search. We used it as a starting point and continued to refine them as I got more decisive (I eliminated homes more than 15 minutes outside of downtown and more than 5 years old). Aside from one phone call, we did everything via email at my convenience. These triggered emails alerted me every time something that fit my criteria hit the market, so I didn’t have to remember to search for new properties each week.
Previewing & Video Tours
You’d be surprised how many people are buying home sight unseen these days. With 3-D tours, great photography and videos, you can get a great idea of how a home might live before you even set foot in it. Ask your Realtor if they can help save you time by previewing homes and sending videos. This will allow you to eliminate a good portion of homes that seem promising in pictures, but don’t meet your needs, without taking time off work to see them.
Get a Tech-Savvy, Local Lender
The other (potentially) big time suck is the financing process. Find a local, tech-savvy lender who is willing to do things via email. This will save you hours of waiting on hold at the call-center only to have to call back multiple times with new information.
Beware of Building
Buying a house that is already built is going to save you some meeting time. New builds usually require design center trips, lots more decisions and meetings with the builder. If you are looking for the least hassle, opt for a spec home or already constructed home that will be turn-key.
Overall be upfront with the time you can devote to your home search. Always ask if a meeting or phone call can be replaced with an email if that’s your preference and take advantage of all the technology your Realtor can offer.
Considering Buying a Home in Austin?
We can help! We have a combined 55+ years of experience in real estate and can help you get a great deal. Check out our Austin Home Buyer page to learn more about who we are and how we work. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.
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