The luxury home buying process is a much different experience than that of lower-priced properties. Luxury home buyers tend to see features and amenities as their main focus rather than price. These luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips will help make the purchasing process a little easier.

Luxury Westfield Home Buyer Tips

Searching for a Property – The internet is a great place to start. However, some of the high end properties may not be listed on the MLS or any other major search engine due to privacy concerns. The first of my luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips is to utilize your REALTOR’S® resources. They have access to just about any property on the market, including off-market “pocket listings”. Hire a REALTOR® that is experienced in the area you are looking to buy, let them know exactly what you want and they will do the work for you. Remember, just because you don’t see a “For Sale” sign in the yard does not mean the homeowner isn’t entertaining offers.

Personal Tours – A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The next one of my luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips is to visit each property in person before you make your final decision. Luxury homes tend to be larger and much more detailed than lower-priced properties. Expect to take at least a couple of hours to tour each home and its grounds.

Financing – Unless you are an all cash Buyer, you are going to need to secure financing. Many Sellers in luxury markets are not willing to even allow potential Buyers on the property unless they have been financially vetted beforehand. This involves proof of income as well as assets. Since the loan process can take a while, you may want to start this early on in your search for a home.

Making an Offer – Once you find the luxury Westfield home you want, it will be time to put in an offer. However, talk to your REALTOR® first. They can pull up recent sales of homes that are comparable to the one you are interested in. This will help you determine what you should expect to pay and what your offer should be for your next prospective home.

Inspections and Closing Details – The last of my luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips is to always get a home inspection. These can reveal structural damage or other issues that may not be seen on a typical walk-through. Talk to your REALTOR® if you have questions about closing costs, contingencies or anything else. As an aside, the City of Westfield is working to clear the snow from last weekend’s storm as quickly as possible. If your street is still snowed in, visit the City of Westfield’s website here to let them know. That way they can get someone out to you.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes