If you are in the process of looking at South Lake Tahoe homes for sale, you might be feeling the high and lows of potential home ownership that go well beyond the financial aspect. Luckily, working with a South Lake Tahoe realtor can help alieviate some of the stress and anxiety that can come with the experience. Here are a few tips to keep in mind during the hunt for South Lake Tahoe homes for sale!
1.) When the search is on for homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe, open houses seem fun at first. These are a great way to view properties without trying to schedule a showing. However, after a while it can feel a bit overwhelming. It can also feel like your weekends are completely scheduled out and dictated by real estate open house maps and trying to figure out which houses to hit first when some of them are on opposite sides of town AND happening at the same time. When you work with a qualified South Lake Tahoe realtor, they will advise you that getting into homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe shortly after going on the market is always a great way to get an edge on the competition. Have your agent schedule private showings for the South Lake Tahoe real estate you are super interested in so you can get an offer in fast if it turns out you love the home. Serious buyers need to be vigilant about touring open houses too, but be sure to go to properties that match your criteria. If you are going to everything that is open, you could be wasting valuable time.
2.) Be patient. Finding that dream South Lake Tahoe real estate can feel similar to finding “The One”. The right one takes time. You don’t want to rush into something that isn’t right just for the sake of being a homeowner. Sure, some homes match your needs, but not necessarily your wants. Be realistic about the process, what you can afford and don’t settle for a property because it works “right now”.
3.) Don’t be surprised if homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe don’t totally match their online presence. Professional photos are a really important part of real estate marketing and every realtor in South Lake Tahoe should be providing their sellers with this service. However! They don’t always fully capture certain details like size of rooms, light, proximity to the road, the neighbor’s house, etc. Go into each house knowing that a property may not measure up to the listing photos OR that it could actually be better in person.
4.) Just submitted an offer on that perfect South Lake Tahoe real estate you have been dreaming about? Waiting is not fun, but it is a part of the process. Your South Lake Tahoe will you guide you through this, but there is a lot of paperwork involved and if a seller has multiple offers, they are smart to take their time with each contract and figure out which is the best fit for them. One thing you can do is add an addendum with your offer that states it expires within a certain amount of time after making the offer. Once again, work with your realtor in South Lake Tahoe as it may not be appropriate in all cases. The other thing you can do is continue to look at other South Lake Tahoe homes for sale. Also stay busy doing things you love. It will help pass the time quicker!
5.) One of the other important (and smart) aspects of buying real estate in South Lake Tahoe is understanding the condition of a home. There are a lot of inspections and disclosures that sellers have to submit and while you may not be sure how to differentiate everything, your realtor in South Lake Tahoe can help you navigate the pile of paperwork and what everything means. If something feels like a deal breaker on a home, chat with your real estate professional and find out what it really means for the transaction, what the fixes are, options, etc.
6.) Speaking of #5, be prepared to negotiate. Especially if you submit a lower offer. Lowballing is generally never a good idea for multiple reasons, but if you come in lower than asking, expect the seller to counter. You will have opportunities to make changes to the sale price later. For example, let’s say the appraisal comes back lower or the inspector finds some bigger fixes. You will likely return to the drawing board to come up with an offer that both parties can agree on.
Just remember during the process to rely on your realtor in South Lake Tahoe during the process. If you start feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, they can usually provide some insight or ideas that will help get you through the bumps and hurdles of home buying. It is, after all, an exciting time and worth it in the end! For more information on purchasing real estate in South Lake Tahoe, feel free to give me a call! I would be happy to help!
