When thinking of buying your long-awaited piece of real estate at Smith Mountain Lake, you may perhaps feel a bit overwhelmed with the details, particularly if it is your first home purchase. Selling your home can also be full of confusing and seemingly complicated tasks that can add stress to your life. The following post is by an author who has some ideas for minimizing the stress involved in buying or selling real estate.
THE STRESS OF BUYING AND SELLING A HOME
By Stanley Popovich
Many people deal with anxiety when buying or selling a home. This process can be a bit overwhelming and even confusing to many people. In this article, you will find some ideas for ways to manage the anxiety of purchasing or selling a home.
The first step is to determine your goals. Whether you are selling or buying a home, determine exactly what you want to accomplish. It will save you a lot of time and money in the long run if you know your desired outcome. Sit down and think about the overall goal of what you are looking for and convey this to your real estate agent. Some people like to write down their goals on a piece of paper so they have something to go back to when stress makes things unclear.
The 2nd step is to educate yourself on the steps of purchasing or selling a home. Go to your local bookstore and find some books that will explain the process of buying a home. Research on the internet regarding the steps involved in selling a home. There are many resources available that can educate you on the processes you need to go through. Confidence in knowing what you are doing will help reduce the anxiety of the situation.
The 3rd step is to find a reputable real estate agent that can help you accomplish your goals. Ask some of your friends whom they recommend Referrals from. People you know are a great way to find a good real estate agent. If that is not possible, go online and read reviews on your local real estate companies.
Besides a good agent, an experienced friend may be able to aid you in your goals. Chances are that you know someone who has purchased or sold a home. Having a friend who can assist you along the way can help reduce the anxiety of the process.
Fourth, get your finances organized. Make sure you have an idea of what you can afford and check to be sure that your credit is good. The financial aspect of buying or selling a home does not have to be scary if you have a sound business plan and a realistic budget. Buying a home you can’t afford will only cause worse problems down the road. Determine what you can afford and develop a budget where you will be able to keep up with your bills.
Fifth, read the fine print on everything before you sign any papers. Do not assume anything. Ask questions if you are uncertain about some aspects of buying or selling a home. A good real estate agent will not mind if you ask questions, however, you should do your part and try to educate yourself on the entire process.
There may be times when everything seems to be happening all at once. If this happens to you, get away from the situation for a little while and do something else. If nothing else occurs to you take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, go shopping, go fishing, or whatever it takes to refresh and get a fresh perspective on things.
Purchasing or selling a home does not have to be as stressful as it sounds if you make the proper preparations. There is help available if you get stuck or confused. The most important thing is to do your homework. Determine your goals, educate yourself on the steps to reach your goals, ask questions, and take it one step at a time. If you follow these guidelines it will enable you to reduce the stresses of purchasing or selling your home.
BIOGRAPHY:
Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non-Resistant Methods” – an easy-to-read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: www.managingfear.com.
