6 Signs You've Found the House You Should Buy

Charlotte recommends utilizing online searches in the beginning stages in order to save time and energy: "In today's high-tech world, buyers have access to a wealth of information online and can eliminate homes that don't suit their wants/needs without ever setting foot on the property. If a buyer is doing their research online and weeding out the homes that have some deal-breaking elements, it will save them an enormous amount of time and energy. Because of this, the chances of a home being 'the one' are much higher once a buyer decides they like it enough based on the online photographs and listing information to go see it in person."

The curb appeal of a home is the first impression a buyer will get after an online search and can ultimately play at a buyer's emotions, both negatively or positively. Charlotte recalls her own experience when buying her first home. "For me personally, I knew I had found 'the one' when buying my first home the minute I pulled up the driveway. There was something that struck me about the home's curb appeal and the way it sat up at the top of a soft rolling hill sprinkled with pink and white azalea bushes in full bloom. I got that warm fuzzy feeling that's difficult to put into words, but I knew there was nothing on the inside that would keep me from loving this home. Granted, I'd read the listing information online and checked out the interior photos (as any prudent buyer should before viewing a home), so I had a decent understanding of what I'd find upon entering."

Another factor to look out for is your gut feeling upon entering a home. Charlotte explains, "Some people call it a 'gut' feeling, [but] I refer to it as Buyer's Intuition. It's a tough thing to define, but it's a real phenomenon, as I have many clients that reference these feelings as the driving force behind the home they decide to purchase. At the same time, there are also occasions where a buyer may not get that so-called 'feeling,' and that's okay too. My goal is to understand the most important criteria for each of my clients, and then sift through the marketplace to find the most suitable homes for them. In a way, it's a bit like playing matchmaker."

Of course, besides experiencing a gut feeling, buyers also have to keep in a mind a more logical checklist of their wants and needs, and how a home will potentially fit in with their lifestyle. Charlotte advises, "As far as pragmatic reasons are concerned, clients often have a fairly lengthy list of their 'wants.' Typically, however, there is a short list of criteria that drives the ultimate decision. For instance, the priority of a neighborhood might reign over the number of bedrooms, or vice versa. A couple with two children might seek four bedrooms so one can be a guest room. If they find a three bedroom house in just the right spot, they might compromise on size and let their guests stay on a pullout sofa in the den. Other factors that may impact a buyer's decision-making process include: proximity to where they work, where they eat and drink, their kids' schools, etc."

Another extremely important element to consider is whether a home is move-in ready, or if it is more of a fixer-upper requiring some work after purchase. This is something that each buyer should truly consider before selecting a final home. Charlotte says, "Some people aren't willing or able to take on projects like a kitchen renovation, and thus want 'move-in-ready' homes, where the updates have been done by the previous owner. Whereas other buyers look for a home they can personalize and transform through renovations."