This is a sponsored post in partnership with Erin King, Jax Historic Realty. 

Finding your dream home is something that everyone looks forward to, but there are a few tricks and tips that you need to follow to make sure you get exactly what you want and need. Here are a few tips to help you find that home of your dreams:

Know What You Want And Do Not Want

Buying a home can seem like a daunting task – there is so much to consider! Before you go into the process, knowing what you want and do not want is critical. Consider even making written lists of requirements and must-not’s to help you throughout your search. Sitting down with your significant other and/or children to help make these lists with consideration of everyone’s needs can be a fun family task! Carrying the lists with you as you look at houses can help bring you back to reality about how the house will work for your family and your needs, and keep you from getting caught up in a seemingly cool, but not functional, home.

Plan For The Future

Buying a new home is an investment. When deciding on a home to buy, it is important to consider how long you will live there and what you will need out of a home in that time. With two young kids, finding a good school district is very important to me. If you have a baby on the way, you might need to consider finding a home with room for a nursery or bedroom for a toddler. If you have a child who begs for a dog, finding a home with a decent-sized yard could be important. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have a child who plans on leaving for college soon, finding a smaller house might be something to consider. Think about what your life will look like in the upcoming years and make sure that whatever houses you consider purchasing will allow for your change in lifestyle.

Hire An Agent With Great Reviews

According to Erin King Jax Historic Realty, “Purchasing a property is most likely the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are an experienced buyer, this decision must be made carefully.” This is why you need to work with a knowledgeable real estate agent with great reviews and this is definitely something that Erin King, MBA., has. For example, one review on their website says: “”Erin and his team did an amazing job from start to finish. From the beautiful staging and photography, to the exceptional communication and personal attention he provided, I highly recommend Erin as a listing agent. He is an expert on the historic nature of the Riverside area and was able to smooth out a couple of would-be rough patches in the process through his knowledge of real estate law and professionals to get the job done. From listing day to closing day, the process was smooth, quick, and pleasant.” All other reviews are this great, as well.

Erin E. King, a Best of Zillow® REALTOR®, does not just talk the talk – he also walks the walk and he has great reviews to show for it. He is an expert when it comes to the Jacksonville real estate market, no matter if you are buying or selling. Some of the featured neighborhoods that he has a lot of knowledge about are Avondale, Riverside, Murray Hill, Ortega, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Springfield, and many more. He loves bringing a deep understanding of buying and selling historic homes to his clients and is also able to accurately price homes in historic districts.

If you are searching for your dream home, call Erin today at 904-999-1780!

Stick with your Budget

Always make sure you stick with your budget. When you get pre-approved for a certain amount, I always recommend going a bit below the top number that your budget allows for. I truly believe in financial freedom for moms and parents in general and being ‘house broke’ is not fun at all. If you have a great real estate agent, they will be able to help you find the home of your dreams that is also within the budget of your dreams.

Before you decide to purchase your dream home, make sure you have saved up enough and feel comfortable with how your finances are looking. This means that your credit cards and other debt should be relatively low (better yet if you do not have any), and your savings (especially your emergency fund) is in great shape. If you are also selling a home at the same time, this might be a harder transition when it comes to selling and buying at the same time (Erin King should be able to help you navigate this process), but it will definitely make it easier when it comes to your finances, if you play your cards right!

Explore the Neighborhood

Having a great neighborhood and a lot of things to do around your new home can make or break your experience there! I love spending time with my family, so it is very important for me to have a lot of opportunities for getting out and about around me. Before purchasing a home, get out around the area and see what you are working with. If you like to go out to eat, are there a lot of options for good restaurants nearby? If you have children, are there accessible parks or public playgrounds? If you are more of a nature lover, are there trails and outdoor activities around? The perfect home might not seem so perfect if there is nothing for you to do nearby. Do you research and check out the local scene before you buy.