Michelle McNally

Whether you’re contemplating buying your first home, investment property, deciding to downsize or move to a bigger home,  there are many questions that need to be answered before you can get started.

Ask yourself these 4 "W" questions to make your decision to move an easy one.

1. WHY are you buying/moving?

Get grounded in why you want to move. Is it finally time to purchase your first home? Do you need more space for your growing family or now that the kids have left, is the big house too much? Are you moving because of necessity? Maybe relocating for work or some other reason. It can be tempting when you start looking at beautifully staged homes online to start imagining yourself elsewhere. This will help you stay focused on your needs and help you get real about whether now is the time to make a move.

2. WHEN would you like to be moved in?

Do you have a timeline or a deadline that you have to be moved by? This will put your search into perspective. If you need to move asap you have the motivation to get started now. If you want to be opportunistic you may want to be more aggressive in your preparation to ensure you’re ready if the right opportunity comes along. If not, you can take it slow. Either way finding the right resources, Realtors®, lenders who can support you at a pace that works for you is key.

3. WHERE would you like to be?

Is there a specific area, community, or building you want to be in?  Would you like to be closer to work, transit, recreation, schools, family/friends? Having a firm idea will allow you to assess your options and determine if you can make your move now. As your Realtor® we can help you assess the types of properties available in your desired area(s) and what home values are there.

4. WHAT type of home do you see yourself in vs. What you can afford?

This one is a two-parter. In today’s competitive market housing prices can be deceiving so getting a clear picture of what you’re looking for vs. what you can afford is the key final step to determining if now is the right time for you to make a move.

1. What kind of home would you like to live in?

Would you prefer a condo or freehold, townhouse or detached? Bungalow, 2-story or split-level? New or resale? How big? How many bedrooms, bathrooms? Backyard or no backyard? How do your options reflect your needs or the needs of your family? What are your must-haves vs. your nice to haves?

2. What is your budget to purchase that home? 

Understanding what you can afford will help narrow down your options to the best homes for you. From there you can determine if you’re ready to make a move.

Working with your Realtor®, we can connect you with lenders to help you understand your financing options. As your Realtors® we can help find the ideal properties that meet your needs within your budget and guide you through the whole process from start to finish.

Call us at the JSA team and we can help you gain greater clarity on your options and connect you to valuable resources to help you make this important decision. We treat our clients and prospective clients the way we’d want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Whether you're ready now or not, it's ok. No pressure. Just people helping people.