If you are buying homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe, or anywhere in the U.S., you could be feeling like you can’t find “The One” that is perfect for you. If you are new to this whole buying experience, it can kind of feel like dating at first. You check out a bunch of houses, some you don’t like AT ALL. Some you are interested in, but after finding out more, decide not to make an offer. Some homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe you fall head over heals for….only to have it not work out for whatever reason. Buying South Lake Tahoe real estate can feel like a lot of pressure even in a buyer’s market, so if you think you found “The One” in a seller’s market…is it desperation to get out of renting, or is this really the home for you? Check out these tips!
1.) Does it match your “need” list? The “want” list is usually filled with superficial needs. Example: Farm sink in the gourmet kitchen, heated floors through out, vaulted grand entry way with a crystal chandelier imported from Harrod’s in London and an infinity pool that looks out over those dreamy Lake Tahoe views. All for under $500,000 no less! Yes, we all have certain desires, but is the South Lake Tahoe real estate you are about to buy close to the right schools, amenities and recreation you need? Does it have the appropriate amount of beds and baths? Does it have extra buildable coverage? Can you safely park your car during winter storms? You need to create a list that has all your “must haves” and use it as a guide to make sure you are looking at homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe that truly fit your needs. The “wants” can be handled later on according to your timeline and budget.
2.) Speaking of those spendy projects that can happen later on…find out if the South Lake Tahoe homes for sale have had any major renovations done. Usually this can indicate how much effort they have put into the home as well as how much they might expect to get back. Now, they should not be pricing over market value otherwise they can sit too long and grow stale. However, that is a conversation between them and their South Lake Tahoe realtors. Plus, we have seen it time and time again where sellers will make major renovations and list at a price in the hopes that they get 100% ROI. It doesn’t happen like that in most cases, yet folks still try.
3.) How many times has the South Lake Tahoe real estate in question been sold and for how much? This may not seem important but, trust me, it is. When buying South Lake Tahoe homes for sale, you want to see how often a home has sold and what the price is doing each time. Is it being sold for more or less money? Also, if it is being sold often, try and find out why. Your South Lake Tahoe realtor may not be able to track down every former home owner, but they might be able to get the skinny from other South Lake Tahoe realtors. For example, is it constantly on the market because their is something wrong with the home or the neighborhood? Or is it simply a fluke and homeowners are selling due to job transfers or changes in family needs?
4.) Don’t ignore property taxes. This can be an additional chunk of money that you will need to consider. If you can’t find it on the listing details, ask your realtor.
5.) Also know that if you are concerned about unusual activity that has happened in the past, the seller needs to inform you via the disclosures. These events can include a death, crime, famous residents or if a movie or television show was once filmed there. These things may not bother you, but they could bother someone else when it comes time for you to resell. So keep it in mind.
Only you will really know, deep down, if a home is “The One”. It is super important during the home buying process to listen to your gut…..and realtor in South Lake Tahoe. Happy house hunting! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I would be happy to help!
