Are You Ready to Commit?
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, this is a question on many people’s minds. Why? Valentine’s Day lines up pretty closely with the start of the “spring real estate market!” I’m not talking about committing to a relationship with another person; I’m talking about falling in love with a new home.
When considering the commitment, you may be faced with a lot of the same questions. Is this “the one?” Can I afford this relationship? Is this the right time in my life to commit? Is this home too old, or too immature for me? Does this relationship fit in my lifestyle? What will my friends and family think? It’s best to contact your local, trusted matchmaker (Realtor®) for some serious discussion about your dreams, your concerns and realistic prospects. A true professional will be by your side to help make sure that you are fully prepared before “the one” comes along, and they will also be on the lookout for opportunities to introduce you to prospects you might not have been aware of or considered on your own.
When you fall head over heels for that very attractive home, your trusted Realtor® can help you make sure that you’re still thinking clearly. You should plan on professional background checks (review of disclosure reports, inspections, environmental hazards reports and more) to make sure that you’re not just falling for another pretty facade. Of course, be sure to check to make sure that your new love has a strong foundation, good bones and comes from a reputable family (builder/contractor).
If you’re scared of commitment, or just prefer to keep your options open, remember that hopping from one pretty rental home to another may have a huge impact on your future. Long term commitment (homeownership) has been a way to build wealth, and it’s been a hedge against inflation, throughout history. Real estate is a limited resource, and while the market may go up and down, the long term gains have historically been an incredible investment, over time. Besides, as long as you make a well thought out commitment, your new love should generate feelings of joy, pride and stability. On the other hand, pretty rentals will continue to get more expensive over time and they can break up with you at very inconvenient times.
Every move is unique! I’ve been a matchmaker for 34 years, and I’d love to put my experience to work for you. The extra good news? If you’re thinking about changing the relationship with your current home, I’m an expert listing agent, ready to help you right size and move on to a new relationship with your next home. Please feel free to reach out to me at 925-964-5010 or via email at Lisa.Hopkins@Compass.com. Even if you’re not planning a move, I’m happy to help by providing you with relevant data, enabling you to make a well informed decision. It’s never too early to start planning for success.
