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(continued from page 55)<br />
If you choose not to commit to a specific<br />
agent, be sure to communicate that, and As in all areas of life, honesty<br />
explain that you are still looking around is the best policy. Be open<br />
and exploring different options. Do not with agents and let them<br />
expect the same level of responsiveness, know if you are committed to<br />
though, as if you had agreed to work exclusively<br />
with one agent.<br />
unfair and counterproductive<br />
a particular agent. It is both<br />
to ask agents to spend time<br />
Start Hunting<br />
on your search without<br />
setting clear expectations.<br />
On your own or with an agent, draw up a<br />
list of what you are looking for in terms of<br />
size, location, and specific features. It may also be helpful to rule out things<br />
that you would never consider.<br />
Expect to devote many days, over a span of weeks or months, to visiting houses<br />
with your agent. A typical buyer might visit twelve houses over the course of as<br />
many weeks. When visiting a house, bring along a camera to snap pictures. You<br />
may want to photograph areas you admire, or potential causes for concern; the<br />
first picture should be the front door with the address visible, so you remember<br />
which house the pictures are from. It’s also a good idea to jot down notes about<br />
each home you visit: houses begin to blur together surprisingly quickly!<br />
First Impressions & Beyond:<br />
What to Look for in a Potential Home<br />
Aside from the size and layout of the home, there are many other things that<br />
you should take note of before deciding on a home.<br />
• Don’t over-spend on a renovated home. While a home that is freshly<br />
painted or newly-decorated is tempting, keep in mind that it is probably<br />
cheaper to freshen up the home on your own than to pay more upfront for<br />
the house — and that doing so means that you’ll be the one selecting paint<br />
colors and carpet instead of paying for somebody else’s design choices.<br />
WE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE. Our in-house team<br />
of 100+ attorneys, paralegals and title examiners<br />
has a deep bench of expertise.<br />
732.905.9400 • WWW.MADISONTITLE.COM<br />
2017 Lakewood Home Buyer’s Guide | 57
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