4 Winter Home Hunting Hints

Think you have to wait until the weather warms up to begin searching for your new home at the Lake of the Ozarks? Think again. Today's savvy buyers are realizing that home hunting in the winter actually has some major advantages. For example:

• You have fewer other buyers to compete against.
• Sellers who list their homes during the winter months are generally more motivated to sell as quickly as possible.
• Because there aren't any as many buyers competing for homes, home prices are typically lower.

If you have been thinking about buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, now is a great time to begin your search. Eagle's Nest Realty is here to help with these tried-and-true hints for house hunting in the winter.

Winter Home Hunting Tips

1. Check For Proper Insulation

Poor insulation can lead to costly energy bills. Fortunately, house hunting in the winter can offer valuable insight into your home's insulation situation. If there is snow on the ground, carefully look at the roof to determine if the snow there is melting faster than the snow on the ground. If the snow melts off of the roof more quickly, it may be a sign of poor attic insulation (which can ring up higher energy bills).

2. Evaluate The Curb Appeal

A snowy wonderland is a wonderful sight, but a drab, gray landscape is less than appealing. Take the time to carefully evaluate each home's outward appeal. If you find one you like in the winter, chances are you will absolutely love the way it looks when the weather warms up and everything turns green again.

3. Ask For Current Utility Information.

People who buy in the summer are sometimes blindsided by the first winter electric bill, but buying in the winter will protect you from that unpleasant surprise. Don't be afraid to ask your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent to find out how much the current owners are paying to heat their home. You don't want to be caught off-guard by your first electric bill after moving in!

4. Evaluate The Area

With all the leaves on the trees out of the way, you'll be able to identify any privacy issues your prospective home may have and how well the neighbors care for their homes. Do the neighboring properties fall into a state of disrepair in the winter months? Are the roads plowed frequently? You'll be glad to have this type of information before making your purchase.

Buying This Winter? We Can Help!

If you are thinking about buying a house this winter, contact our experienced real estate team in Sunrise Beach MO. With an in-depth understanding of the Lake Area and real estate practices, we have the knowledge you need to make your home search a success. Contact us for more information!

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5 Crucial House Hunting Tips

There's nothing quite like searching for your new home! Walking through all the different homes is always a lot of fun (and a great way to get some new home decor ideas), but if you're not careful, it can become very time-consuming very quickly. Is there a way you can make your home search more productive? The team at Eagle's Nest Realty is here to help you out with these tried-and-true home hunting suggestions!

Tip #1: Take Notes. A LOT Of Notes.
Once you tour more than three or four homes, it will become very hard to remember which specific characteristics belonged to which home. Bring a notepad with you and take notes on each of the different homes you see. Write down anything - good or bad - that stands out to you about each home, such as carpet that needs replacing, unusual features in the kitchen, glass railings in the stairway, etc. You will rely on these notes more heavily than you might think!

Tip #2: Pay Attention Each Home's Surroundings.
Keep in mind that you won't just be buying your new house - you'll also be buying the neighborhood, the view, and the surrounding area. As you tour each potential home, take note of its surroundings. Is it located right next to a noisy street or highway? Are the neighboring homes in poor condition? Is there a lot of construction going on nearby? Add these observances to your notes about each property. While some of these things might not affect you directly, it's important to look at all of the variables when buying a home.

Click here to see more about this home for sale in Sunrise Beach.

Tip #3: Drive By Potential Homes Before Scheduling Showings.
The way homes look online tend to differ greatly from the way they look in real life. You can save yourself (and your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent) a great deal of time by driving by the homes you want to tour before scheduling any showings. Sometimes, driving past the front of the home will reveal deal-breakers that you couldn't see from the online listings. Driving past the homes first will help you ensure that you only schedule tours of the homes that have legitimate potential!

Tip #4: Differentiate Your Needs From Your Wants.
Do you need a home with vaulted ceilings and a tile shower? Probably not, although it would certainly be a nice perk! On the other hand, you probably do need a home with enough bedrooms to give you and your family places to sleep. Taking the time to identify what you need in a new home versus what you want will help you stay organized and focused during your home search. It's certainly okay to get swept away by the dazzling features of each home you tour (that's half the fun of buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks!), but you want to make sure you only do so after you make sure the home will meet your needs.

Tip #5: Be Realistic About What You Can Afford.
Unfortunately, the loan amount you may be approved for does not necessarily indicate how much you can afford to spend on your new home. Your monthly mortgage payment is only part of the picture; once you have moved into your new home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you will also have to pay for utilities (electricity, water, trash, etc), repairs, any association fees, and the upgrades you wish to make. All of these extra expenses tend to add up quickly! Protect yourself and your investment by creating a budget that outlines your income and projected expenses. Don't forget to add in the other costs of livings, such as groceries and fuel.

Want More Home Hunting Help? Contact Eagle's Nest Realty!
Buying real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks is big undertaking; it's important to make sure you go about it the right way! If you are looking for a Lake of the Ozarks REALTOR® to help you through the process, we hope you'll keep us in mind. We would love to help you find your new home!

Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc.                                               Like Us On Facebook

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