Surviving A Bidding War

You’re about to make an offer on a home. Then, to your despair, you find out that three other offers have also come in for the same property.

Be careful. It’s all too easy to get swept up in the excitement and, like a hand raised one too many times at an auction, end up paying more for the home than you had intended — or can afford.

Working with a good REALTOR® will increase the odds of getting the home at a price that’s right for you.

Getting Schooled On Local Schools

If you have kids, the local school will be a big part of your new home buying decision. That’s why it’s important to get a school’s “vital statistics”, such as:

  • Safety record
  • Curriculum
  • Accommodation for special needs
  • Awards
  • Average class sizes
  • Extracurricular activities. (sports, arts, crafts, technology, etc.)
  • Scores on standardized achievement tests
  • Daily schedules and vacations

Even such seemingly inconsequential details as hours of operation can be important. If school starts a half hour later than you expected, you may not be able to drop off your kids on your way to work and therefore, you will need to make other arrangements.