Invaluable home-hunting tips in a seller’s market

Are you on a serious hunt for a new home? Whether it’s your first time as a real estate buyer or you’ve done this many times before, you may experience a learning curve.

“If you want to snag your dream home in a seller’s market, then you’d better be on your game,” says Grant Simmons, who drives the consumer marketing strategy for Homes.com.

• Know what you want: Make a list of the features you desire in your next home, and then separate them into wants and needs.

• Use your imagination: Remember, there can be large return on small, affordable updates.

• Know the deal-breakers: Before committing to a mortgage, do your due diligence.

• Do smart research: The Internet is your friend. So rather than cast a wide net, conduct smart searches.

• Get serious: Busy real estate agents with a tight schedule prioritize serious prospective buyers. Be first on their list and have your financial ducks in a row before you go.

It may be a seller’s market, but with smart research, foresight and planning, you can make a wise purchase.