Hi, this is Lucy Magnus with The Nedder Group here in Fairfield County, Connecticut. 

Today, I'm gonna talk to you about the importance of really understanding what kind of home you're looking for at the start of your search. 

There are many different types of homes; many conditions of homes, many conditions of mechanicals. As you're looking at properties, it can be very daunting to go through and look at all these different houses. What’s key is to really keep in mind what you need in a new home. 

How much work are you willing to do once you buy?

There are a lot of homes, at every price point, that have recently been redone. The paint is fresh, the cabinets are new, the counters are quartz; all the shiny new finishes can be very, very exciting. Who wouldn’t want a shiny new kitchen and freshly painted walls?  What’s more important than the finishes, I think that it's important to weigh in your home search how much work you're willing to do once you buy. 

Are you looking for a home that has really updated mechanicals?  Take a look at the real big ticket items like the roof, the furnace, and the air conditioner. If these are updated, you may be willing to do some of the cosmetic stuff like a kitchen redo or refinishing floors.I think it's really important to understand kind of your appetite for improvement when you're looking for a home.

I know personally that it can be distracting to look at these beautiful homes. They are staged by professionals to be beautiful, and they do a good job, these homes are stunning. That doesn't necessarily mean when you get in there, that that's gonna be the house that you want. 

What are your absolute non-negotiables?

So before you even start searching, make sure that you've taken stock in your goals that will be impossible or expensive to change after buying. What are your absolute non-negotiables in terms of layout, mechanicals, and location. After you know your non-negotiables, consider what are some of the things that you have more flexibility on? 

When you think about it in terms of expense and effort you may decide, you know, yes, we'll, we'll get rid of the popcorn ceilings. Or yes, we can paint the moldings white instead of brown. Cosmetic updates are almost always easier than major renovations that overexcited buyers end up with when they make choices without their real home needs in mind. 

We can help guide you so that you don't get sidetracked by what I call ‘the shiny objects’ that you will see in all of these ‘updated’ homes. 

If you’re interested in buying or selling in Fairfield County, Connecticut, give us a call.