When it comes to buying South Lake Tahoe homes for sale, lots of folks go into it with a Pinterest perfect check list and are quickly disappointed when they realize not every home looks something out of a Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn ad. At least not for their desired budget, anyway. If you are currently looking at homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe, you may be realizing that in order to stay in your budget, you may need to make a few changes. As always, working with a qualified South Lake Tahoe realtor is key. We will only suggest South Lake Tahoe homes for sale that are within your budget and match the criteria as close as possible. It is standard for us to show a little beyond the max budget as we don’t want to rule out a property that is just a few thousand dollars extra that didn’t show up due to internet search parameters. However, steer clear from working with someone who is showing you properties that are well beyond your budget. Time is of the essence in a seller’s market and you do not want to waste your time going into South Lake Tahoe homes for sale that are a pipe dream. It wastes your time, and the owners time. Luckily, there are some things on the list that may not be a “must have” like you originally thought when you set out on your homebuying journey. Check out these areas that are worth compromising on when buying a home for sale in South Lake Tahoe!
Location, Location, Location!
This is one of the most important aspects of buying South Lake Tahoe real estate. Or is it? Of course, it is always good to know what you want and where you want to be but look at the reasons for why you are focusing on an area. Is it because of school or proximity to work? If so, stick to your guns and stay focused on those areas. Is it because you want to be closer to friends or certain amenities you don’t absolutely need? If so, you may need to really think about whether or not those aspects are really that important to you. The good thing with South Lake Tahoe real estate is that our mountain town is smaller, so you don’t have to sacrifice a lot when it comes to distance. However, if you have your heart set on a certain neighborhood and are finding the homes are beyond your budget, check out a neighboring area that may cost less. Your South Lake Tahoe realtor will be able to offer comparable properties in comparable neighborhoods.
A Large Yard
Before setting out to tour homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe, you may feel like you NEED a huge yard. Of course, a large yard will cost you. Do you want a home for sale in South Lake Tahoe on a parklike setting if it means you have to sacrifice all the other things on your list? Think about the upkeep, and the cost of the upkeep. Once again, if entertaining is your thing, this may be worth it. However, if you like your quiet time and space, having the largest yard in your group could mean that your house becomes the designated location for every birthday party and holiday. If that is not what you want, downsizing your desired yard size is something you should think about. The good thing is, homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe are surrounded by tons of outdoor options. You will probably spend more time on a trail or at the beach compared to a large back yard.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
When shopping for homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe, you will notice that the bigger the house, the higher the price is in almost all scenarios. That is home buying 101. More space costs more money. If you find a home for sale in South Lake Tahoe that matches your price and neighborhood, but it is smaller than what you want, ask yourself-do you really NEED the extra bedroom, bathroom, whatever it is that you feel is the one thing missing?
As always, working closely with an experienced South Lake Tahoe realtor who has your best interest at heart is going to make for a successful real estate journey. Know what you want before you go, be open to suggestions or alternatives and feel free to ask questions. This is a big financial investment. You should understand how the process works so feel free to ask questions if you have them!
