Spring time is just around the corner.

This year, the Atlanta Real Estate market is shaping up to be a competitive one.

If you’re looking to buy a new home this year, you’ll have to take your search seriously.  Don’t be surprised if you encounter bidding wars or properties that get sold within a day or two on the market.

It’s just a function of where we are:

Everyone knows it’s time to buy.

The Federal Reserve finally raised interest rates in December, but they are still historically low. Buyers rightly believe this is the last opportunity they will have to cash in on near-zero rates.

However, inventory is low.

This means that there are a few extra rules in effect.

These are more than just insider “spring home buying tips”.  If you want to find the right home for you at a great value this year, all six of these are essential bases to cover..

#1 Narrow Down Your Area

There is a reason “location, location, location” is the biggest cliche in real Estate.

It’s the number one determining factor of price. That’s just part of why knowing where you want to live should always be a home buyer’s first priority.

Don’t overload yourself with a broad search. Target specific neighborhoods, commercial areas, schools, or other landmarks so that you can better understand your options.

Failing to do this is one of the most damaging mistakes you can make.  It’s also a tragically common one.  Without knowing where you want to live, it is hard to put prices into context.

After all, understanding your market is another essential part of buying a new home—not just this spring, but in any season.

#2 Take Market Education Seriously

You already know that home buying is an expensive, long-term decision.

If you want to make the right one, you have to you do some research.  You already know that the markets are going to be tough.  But there are various factors that determine property value aside from location and overall market trends.

You need to take account for the space and amenities you need.  Then all localities have their own set of micro trends that affect prices in both distinct and subtle ways.

You can pay attention to industry news and do a lot of comparison yourself, but this is one of the places that the help of a licensed Realtor comes in most handy.

Still, nothing is an adequate substitute for actually stepping foot into the home(s) you’re thinking of making an offer on.

#3 Go To Open Houses

Spring is the time of open houses.

Get out and go to them.  There are a ton of advantages to this.

Of course, open houses give you the chance to look deeper into the home.  They also provide a forum to get information out of the seller’s representative agent.

Guest books give insight into competition.  And curious neighbors might even stop by.

In real estate markets this spring, it’s important that prospective buyers are ready to act quickly. Attending open houses are a great way to get the jump on your competition.

But in 2016, the Web is a tool that simply cannot be ignored.

#4 House Hunt on the Internet

Home buyers and real estate agents alike have been using the Internet to find the best properties for years now.

Obviously, MLS listings are a great resource to take stock of what is available in your area.  These are generally available to everyone.  This means that the competition is usually high.  It is most useful to set up alerts for new inventory in the area(s) you intend to move to.

Better informed house hunters might use a few less common resources to get the jump on their spring competition as well.  Craigslist and Facebook are two places that you might find properties that are otherwise unlisted.

Again, the main thing is that you need to be able to act quickly during the spring real estate season, especially one like we are facing now.

#5 Jump Immediately!

If you conduct your search the right way, you will be able to act immediately when your perfect fit presents itself.

When home buying competition is high, this is pretty much the only way to get a home that fits your needs at a good value.  Great buys won’t stay on the market long.  Just don’t be in such a rush that you risk making a poor decision.

Certainly, you want to look before you jump.

For lone home buyers, it can be hard to thoroughly vet a property and initiate a negotiation quickly.  This is yet another reason why hiring a Realtor is so crucial.

#6 Have Your Team Together

In markets like we anticipate this spring, buyers will need help.

Low inventory presents one set of problems.  High demand presents another.  When you put them together, you’ve got a market that isn’t quite safe for the average home buyer to go it alone.

That’s why this year, especially, it is important that you are ready to make the right offers quickly.  Having the right real estate team around you for support ahead of time will save you a ton of time and allow you more peace of mind.

Moreover, real estate agents get paid based on their ability to help buyers find homes.  A trusted real estate agent will help you find a great fit at a good value—because no one should have to “settle” on a home.

In review, there are six of them.

1. Narrow Down Your Target Area
2. Take Market Education Seriously
3. Go to Open Houses
4. House Hunt on the Internet
5. Jump Immediately!
6. Have Your Team Together

Again, these are not just any “Home buying tips for spring”, but a list of essential steps to take if you really want to find the right home for you in the busy season ahead.

Feel like you’re more likely to find the right fit this spring real estate season after reading this post?  Please like and share on your favorite social media to spread the knowledge.  

Or, if you have a question or comment, please leave it in the comments section below.

The post Homes for Sale: Six Rules All Homebuyers Must Follow for Spring 2016 appeared first on Total Atlanta Realty.