- Kevin Rose
- REALTOR<sup>®</sup>
- LA
- 337.303.7462
- 337.984.8470
- Email Me
4. Look at Homes
10 Steps to Home Ownership!
Step 4 of 10
Some 6 million new and existing homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options here in lafayette, Louisiana or the surrounding Acadiana area, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.
The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. If it were possible to have a complete list of every home for sale at this very moment in a given community, such a list would become obsolete within seconds as new homes become available and properties now for sale are put under contract.
In effect, buyers are looking at a moving target in a marketplace that is never static. Because of this, it is important to know as much as possible about the choices in Acadiana area, and the way to do that is by working closely with your Acadiana Real Estate REALTOR® who has a good "lay of the land."
What are you looking for?
A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. Several properties -- each with four bedrooms, three baths, and the same price -- may well represent radically different designs, commuting distances, lot sizes, tax costs, interior dimensions, and exterior finishes.
Each of us is different and so it's important to list the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider such things as pricing, location, size, amenities (extras such as a pool or extra-large kitchen) and design (one floor or two, colonial or modern, etc.).
Next, it's important to consider your priorities. If you can't get a home at your price with all the features you want, then what features are most important? For instance, would you trade fewer bedrooms for a larger kitchen? A longer commute for a bigger lot and lower cost?
Lastly, consider your needs in several years. If you'll need a larger home, maybe now is the time to buy a bigger house rather than moving or expanding in the future. If you expect your income to increase, perhaps you should consider a more expensive home financed with a loan program where monthly payments increase in the future.
Where should you look?
All your Acadiana area neighborhoods and communities have a special nature that gives them identity and value. One subdivision may be well known for historic homes while another offers both suburban living as well as easy access to downtown office areas.
Mylafayettehomes.com offers over 1400 homes and properties in the Lafayette, Louisiana or surrounding Acadiana area online. By any standard, it's verywell the largest source for property information online in the Lafayette, Louisiana or surrounding Acadiana area. You can contact your favorite listing REALTOR®, and you can also search to find your favorite REALTOR® who offers buyer representation services.
How do you find a house?
Some buyers like to search MyLafayetteHomes.com by looking at listings on the basis of location or price; others prefer to have their Acadiana Real Estate REALTOR® suggest properties; and many buyers prefer both approaches.
Regardless of your choice, it's important to target your search. By using basic measures such as general location and affordability, you can refine your search and focus on homes that offer the most desirable features.
As a guide, you should maintain a file with information on each of the homes you like. You can print out listing pages from MyLafayettehomes.com and then make notes for each one -- what you like, questions, REALTOR® contact data, etc.
For more information:
Next: Choose a Home
