Buying real estate: how to be efficient in finding an apartment or a house

Finding a home to buy can be time consuming and require many visits. Here are some tips to avoid wasting time during your research.

Finding a property to buy on the first try is quite rare. Buyers spend many weeks, even months, before finding and buying the ideal property. A particularly stressful period, sometimes a source of demotivation, which requires good organization and reactivity. And it can be difficult to fit a real estate search into a busy schedule. However, being able to free yourself quickly and organize yourself well is often necessary to avoid missing the sale. Some tips can make the process easier for buyers.

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1) Clearly define your budget and criteria

The first step to save time when embarking on a real estate purchase is to clearly define your project. This involves calculating the purchasing budget and defining its criteria.

The budget depends on the debt ratio of the buyers and their real estate contribution. It varies according to the duration of the mortgage: the longer the duration, the higher the capital borrowed. To this envelope is added the personal contribution which must generally correspond to 10% of the purchase price to convince the banks, even if certain banks agree to finance without contribution according to the profiles. The purchase criteria, and the possible compromises, depend on this budget.

Starting research without having a precise budget is the best way to waste time.

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2) Save your search in an agency

Pushing the door of real estate agencies and explaining your criteria can help you conduct your research effectively, especially since not all ads are posted on online portals. A certain delay may even occur between the signing of the sales mandate, the photographs and the publication of the advertisement. First come are often first served. By registering in the database of real estate agents in the sector, you can be quickly alerted if a property matches your criteria and your budget.

3) Use apps with alerts

Jinka, SeLoger, LeBoncoin... so many applications that can simplify real estate research by sending you alerts when a new property is offered for sale. "I had downloaded Jinka to be informed as soon as a new advertisement was published", explains Justine who found her accommodation in just two visits. "The property we bought had been online for barely 5 days, we were lucky," she continues.

Another possible solution for the less available buyers: use the services of a property hunter. This professional is in charge of research, visits and negotiation. A time saving which has a cost since the hunter charges an average of 2% of the purchase price which must be added to the costs of the real estate agency mandated by the seller.

5) Be reactive for visits and prepare for them

The key word to be effective is "responsiveness". If you like an ad, you have to know how to position yourself quickly to organize a visit. And if you are only available on Saturday, things could be complicated because other buyers will also be on the spot. Depending on the area, competition can be tough. So, the sooner you visit, the sooner you can position yourself if the good pleases you. Again, responsiveness is key.

If you have a crush, do not hesitate to make a purchase proposal to the seller. You can always make a counter-visit to reassure you and you will have in all cases a period of reflection of 10 days after the signing of the sales agreement.

Also, before visiting, prepare a list of things to check. This will allow you to be more reactive and not realize too late that certain characteristics are in fact prohibitive for you (vis-à-vis, presence of a busy road nearby, etc.). It is better to discuss it with the owner or the real estate agent before going there when you know that certain points will be blocking for you.