How to find a Unique Home
Expecting to buy or sell your home? It’s important to remember that no two homes are the same, so you can’t just compare apples to apples when looking for the one that’s right for you. Instead, it’s more helpful to look at each home on its own and make an assessment based on what makes it different from the others in your neighborhood. What amenities does it have that others don’t? Is there something about the floor plan that sets it apart? If you look closely enough, you’ll be able to find your ideal home.
Think about what you want in your new home
When you’re buying a new home, it’s important to think about what you want and need. Every home is unique in its own way, so try and determine what makes one property stand out over another. Asking yourself questions like what are my must-haves? and are there any things I can live without? can help guide your decision-making process. If there’s an amenity or location that would make you happy, don’t be afraid to speak up; as an agent working with buyers every day, I understand how important it is for people to get exactly what they want in their next purchase.
Look in new neighborhoods
Our homes are where we spend most of our time, and it makes sense that we’d want one that reflects our unique tastes. Keep your eyes peeled for new neighborhoods—both in your community and as you travel—where builders are creating truly unique homes, both on their own land and as additions to existing communities.
Set up an open house search alert
Open house searches in your area are essential for finding unique homes, so be sure to set up an alert with Redfin. Alerts let you know whenever homes matching your search criteria go on sale. With more than 5 million listings nationwide, Redfin offers greater flexibility and reaches a larger range of properties than other sites. You can even select which Redfin broker will assist you during open houses if any. The company also has a mobile app that lets users sign contracts electronically, another time-saving perk when searching for unique homes online.
Use an agent who will show you unique homes
When house hunting, it can be tempting to show up at an open house and check out some available properties. While these events can certainly be helpful—you’ll likely meet other potential buyers and receive tips from real estate agents in attendance—they aren’t necessarily your best bet for finding unique homes. Find an agent who can show you unique houses that he or she has helped clients buy in your area.
Use the internet for unique listings
Online real estate listings are incredibly useful because they’re plentiful and easily searchable, but it’s important to remember that an online listing is just as much of an advertisement as it is an actual property listing. So use home-search sites, but don’t rely solely on them for all your information—you need to be exploring in person too. If you can walk through each place you visit; even if you can’t take a peek inside, looking at your surroundings will help you determine whether or not that neighborhood is right for you. And finally: Get up early to look at places before most other people see them; doing so increases your chances of getting lucky with no competition during open houses.
Consider specialty houses like apartments or condos
If you’re looking for a unique home, consider buying an apartment or condo instead of a house. You won’t have as much space, but you also won’t have to worry about maintaining your yard and creating an entire hobby room. You can walk right out your door, with access to local shops and restaurants—which is great if you don’t have a car. Many condos even come furnished so that you can just move in and enjoy!
