FACT VS FICTION - House Hunting Tips

By Fran Campbell - September 21, 2015

Buying your dream house at the Lake of the Ozarks is incredibly exciting, but it can also be extremely daunting. Everyone has an opinion about what you should look for in a new home and how you should go about conducting your home search. Weeding out the valid points from the unnecessary information can be a little overwhelming, but Fran Campbell Team is here to help! Keep reading to learn which points to ignore and which take to heart.

FICTION: If You Don't Love Everything About The House, It's Not The Right One.
Fact: Houses Are Like Relationships - Even The Perfect Ones Need A Little Work!
When thinking about buying homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, most people put a lot of time and energy into conceptualizing their dream homes. This is an exciting (and valuable) process, but don't let yourself get so wrapped up in the vision of your dream home that you forget to allow yourself some wiggle room! A home may not have a wood-burning fireplace or brand-new backsplash in the kitchen, but that does not mean that it is not still the perfect place to call your own. Homes can be upgraded and remodeled to match your vision. If you find a place with a few small drawbacks but that you love overall, chances are you've found the right home. Don't second-guess yourself too much!

FICTION: You Should Schedule Showings Of Every Home That Catches Your Eye.
FACT: You Can Save Time By Only Scheduling Showings Of Homes With Real Potential.
Online images can be a great way to get a general feel for a home, but in all honesty, they can't come close to actually walking through a home and getting to experience it for yourself. It's important to schedule one, two, or maybe even three showings of homes that have legitimate potential, but there is no need to to walk through homes that you know you won't purchase. Carefully comb through the online descriptions and accompanying photos of the homes your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent suggests to make sure there aren't any immediate deal-breakers. After that, drive by the front of the home to make sure it looks like a place you could imagine coming home to. If it passes those two initial tests, then call your REALTOR® and schedule a showing.

FICTION: You Should Never Buy The First House You See.
FACT: If It's Right, Buy It!
People have been warning each other about buying the first house they look at for years, believing that buying the very first home you look at means you might sell yourself short and miss out on the home of your dreams. We do believe that you should always tour several different available homes, but we also firmly believe that if you don't see anything else you like as much as the first one, there is absolutely no reason why you can't go back and buy that one! If you catch yourself comparing every home you see to that very first one you toured, chances are your decision has already been made. Don't be afraid to trust your gut instincts.

FICTION: You Have To Please Everyone.
FACT: You're Buying A House For YOU And YOUR FAMILY - Your Opinions Are The Only Ones That Matter.
If you're a people-pleaser, you know that the constant desire to make everyone happy affects every single aspect of your life - even real estate! Buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks is a big decision, and your parents, your spouse's parents, and your friends will doubtless have a lot to say about it. At the end of the day, however, you and your family members will be the ones who are actually living in the home you choose, so finding a home that feels right to you and your family is the most important thing. There is no harm in taking others' opinions into consideration, but make sure you don't let them sway you unnecessarily!

Let Us Help You Find Your Dream Home!
Are you ready to find a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks? Our team of skilled real estate agents would love to help you find your new home! Whether you're looking for a full-time residence, a second-home, or a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have the experience you need to find the one that perfectly meets your needs. Give us a call to get started!

Contact the Fran Campbell Team to schedule a showing!