By Joe Palumbo III
So this could be the year where you fulfill the American Dream and own a home. But house hunting is not a quick fix. First off, remember that location counts, especially in Queens with its diversity of neighborhoods. How far do you want to commute to work each day, how good are the schools? Will your home be next to or to close by a commercial area or vacant lot? Even if the home is ideal on the inside, it can turn into a huge mistake if you wind up being in an undesirable location. Remember: You will be raising your family there. Do your homework. We live in the Information Age where a ton of info on recent home prices and market trends is available on the Web for nothing more than our time. A tip: Wear comfortable shoes when house hunting. You don't want to be focused on hurting feet. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. That will show the seller just how serious you are and give you more negotiating power as well as letting the seller know you can afford the home. Make notes because you are not going to remember all the details, particularly if you see several homes on a given day.So How's Business in regard to house hunting? Buying a home is a life-changing event in your life. Be prepared to make an offer but don't get frustrated and stressed out if you miss out. Your Queens dream home is out there, but it does take time.
