" If you’re a first-time buyer about to begin the process of becoming a homeowner, you’re probably looking for your dream home. While some people will warn you it’s impossible to buy a dream home your first time around, that’s not necessarily the truth. You just have to know what to do to discover it in your home search. These seven tips will make it easier for you to reach your goal. This is from an article that appeared on Amy Sims' website: http://www.amysims.com/blog/7-tips-to-help-you-find-your-dream-home"

2. If you’re a first-time buyer about to begin the
process of becoming a homeowner, you’re
probably looking for your dream home. While some
people will warn you it’s impossible to buy a dream
home your first time around, that’s not necessarily
the truth. You just have to know what to do to
discover it in your home search. These seven tips
will make it easier for you to reach your goal.
http://bhrcenter.com

3. You may wonder what getting pre-qualified (or even better, pre-approved) has to do
with finding your dream home. It’s important to take this step first before looking at
homes, even though many first-time buyers want to skip over it and jump right into
touring properties. The reason to focus on financing first is you’ll know what you can
afford, rather than wasting your time looking at homes out of your budget.
Once you’re pre-qualified and have a budget in mind, you can look at homes which fit
the price range. This ensures you find the dream home that you can afford. If you
start out looking at homes around $300,000 and are only approved for $250,000,
you’ll discover very few of the homes in your price range measure up to those priced
higher, and you’ll feel like you’re not getting a dream home.
http://bhrcenter.com

4. No, you’re not asking Santa Claus to find you a
house, but you are listing everything you would
like to have in a home. Now is the time to let
your imagination go wild. If you want granite
countertops in the kitchen, put it on the list.
Think about the ideal number of bedrooms and
bathrooms, or how much outdoor space you’d
like to have. This step creates a picture of the
ideal house in your mind. While you may think
this won’t work if you have a limited budget,
you’d be surprised at how many items won’t be
on your list. When you start looking at houses
and find one with a hot tub, don’t get
sidetracked if that item didn’t make your list.
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5. What is essential for living? – If you have two kids, a two- or three-bedroom house is a must-
have. Four bedrooms are not.
• What do you already have in your current home that you would miss if your future home
didn’t have it? A dishwasher? Master bath? Think about what you really use in your daily
routine.
• What do you currently complain about not having? Tired of going downstairs to do
laundry in the basement? Wish you had a dishwasher, or more counter space in the
bathroom or kitchen?
• Once you have your must-have list complete, anything left over are just bonuses that
aren’t essential for a happy life. Don’t toss them out; just realize they aren’t as important
as you first thought.
Now you have your ultimate wish list. It’s time to cut it down to size. Look through that list
and put it in order of priorities. This is going to be a big task, because you’re going to think
you need to have everything. However, a few tips will help you break down your list and
organize it according to what’s most important:
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6. Before you look at the actual houses, go online and see what’s available in your price range.
Look through the photos and read the information. Discover how many of your must-have
items you can get in your budget and which extras you might also find. Your goal is to find
the properties with all of your must-haves and one or two of the bonus features. This is the
definition of a dream home for you.
http://bhrcenter.com

7. Start looking at homes by going to a few open houses. No matter how nice of a job the sellers or
their agent did of recreating the home online, it won’t replace the need to see it in person. Take your
time going through the house and looking at both the positives and negatives. This will help you
learn more about what you really want and need in a house. Once you’ve toured a few of these
homes, look at your list again and see if you’re willing to make a few concessions. Maybe a
dishwasher isn’t as important as more outdoor space or maybe you could find a work-around for no
master bathroom.
http://bhrcenter.com

8. While this tip is listed as sixth, it is of vital importance. An experienced agent who is
knowledgeable of your desired neighborhood can help you immensely in your home search. They
can tell you about homes you may not be aware of or even show you properties that might not
seem like the right fit at first. They’ll also help you be more realistic in your search, which will
enable you to avoid disappointment when your ideal home doesn’t exist.
http://bhrcenter.com

9. When it’s all said and done, the home that meets your needs is your dream
home. It may not have everything you ever wanted, but it’s the dream home
for you now. Make up your mind to love whatever home you choose and work
on ways to turn it into the place you want to live.
http://bhrcenter.com

10. Website: http://www.amysims.com
Amy Sims
info@amysims.com
949.559.5959
Sources:
http://www.amysims.com/blog/7-tips-to-help-you-find-your-
dream-home
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you!