Home Buying Tips
5 Steps to Finding Your Next Home
Finding Lake Norman, NC Homes for Sale
Steps to Finding Your Next Home – Lake Norman Real Estate for Sale – Explore Lake Norman Homes
Whether you’re a First-Time Buyer or a seasoned homeowner, shopping for a New Construction Lake Norman Real Estate Home can feel daunting. In fact, 56% of buyers said that “finding the right property” was the most difficult step in the home buying process.1
Buying a Lake Norman Waterfront Home is a significant commitment of both time and money. And a home purchase has the power to improve both your current quality of life and your future financial security, so the stakes are high.
Follow these five steps—and complete the corresponding worksheet offered below—to assess your priorities, streamline your search, and choose your next home with confidence.
STEP 1: Set Your Goals and Priorities – “Know what City, Town, Location you desire.”
The first Home Buying Tips to finding your ideal home is determining WHY you want to move. Do you need more space? Access to better schools? Less maintenance? Or are you tired of throwing money away on rent when you could be building equity? Pinpointing the reasons why you want to move can help you assess your priorities for your home search.
Don’t forget to think about how your circumstances might change over the next few years. Do you expect to switch jobs? Have more children? Get a pet? A good rule of thumb is to choose a house that will meet your family’s needs for at least the next five to seven years.
STEP 2: Determine Your Budget – “Talk to a Real Estate Lender before you begin”
Many financial professionals recommend following the “28/36 Rule” to determine how much you can afford to spend on a home. The rule states that you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses (e.g., mortgage, taxes, insurance) and a maximum of 36% of your gross monthly income on your total debt obligations (i.e., housing expenses PLUS any other debt obligations, like car loans, student loans, credit card debt, etc.).3
Of course, the 28/36 rule only provides a rough guideline. Getting pre-qualified or pre-approved by a Real Estate Lender BEFORE you begin shopping for homes will give you a much more accurate idea of how much you can borrow. Add your pre-approved mortgage amount to your downpayment to find out your maximum purchasing potential.
STEP 3: Choose a Location – “Which town around LKN do you want to be a part of?”
When it comes to home buying tips, WHERE you choose to buy is just as important as WHAT you choose to buy.
Do you prefer a rural, urban, or suburban setting? How long of a commute are you willing to make? Which neighborhoods feed into your favorite schools? These decisions will impact your day-to-day life while you live in the home.
Another important factor to consider is how the area is likely to appreciate over time. Choosing the right neighborhood can raise the profit potential of your home when it comes time to sell. Look for communities that are well maintained with high home-ownership rates, low crime rates, and access to good schools, desired retail establishments, and top employers.
STEP 4: Decide Which Features You Need (Want) in a Home – Waterfront/Side, Home vs. Condo/Townhome, Garage, Acerage, etc.
Start with the basics, like your ideal number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Do you prefer a one-story or two-story layout? Do you want a swimming pool?
Keep in mind, you may not find a home with all of your “wants,” or even all of your “needs” … at least not at a price you can afford. The reality is, most of us have to make a few compromises when it comes to buying a home.
Some buyers will opt for a longer commute to get a larger, newer home in the suburbs. Others will sacrifice hardwood floors or an updated kitchen so that their kids can attend their desired school.
If you’re faced with a tough choice about how or what to compromise in your home search, return to STEP 1. What were your original goals and motivations for moving? Reminding yourself of your true priorities can often provide the clarity that you need.
STEP 5: Meet with a Real Estate Agent – Meet with a Member of The Martin Real Estate Team of Lake Norman
A good real estate agent can remove much of the stress and uncertainty from the home search process. Home Buying Tips include setting goals to securing a loan to selecting the best neighborhood to meet your needs, we will be there to assist you every step of the way.
And no one has more access to home listings, past sales data, or market statistics than a professional agent. We can set up a customized search that alerts you as soon as a new listing you might like goes live. Better yet, we get notified about many of the hottest homes even BEFORE they hit the market.
You might guess that the Lake Norman VIP Buyer Program service we provide is very expensive. Well, the good news is, we can represent you throughout the entire home buying process at NO COST to you. It’s true; the home seller pays a buyer agent’s fee at closing. So you can benefit from our time, experience, and expertise without paying a dime. It’s no wonder 87% of buyers choose to purchase their home with the help of an agent.1
And although we’ve listed it here as STEP 5, the reality is, it’s never too early (or too late) to contact an agent about buying a home. Whether you plan to buy today, next month, or next year, there are steps you can (and should) be taking to prepare for your purchase.
LKN Waterfront Homes for Sale
Lake Norman homes
Listings 1 - 20 of 169 next →
Price: $8,500,000 (5540 sqft)
Subdivision: Flagship
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Terri Mayhew | MLS # 4225782 | Active
Price: $7,889,220 (5586 sqft)
Subdivision: Vista Lago
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Kathy Day | MLS # 4261389 | Active
Price: $3,575,000 (5576 sqft)
Subdivision: Patricks Purchase
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Susie Wagner | MLS # 4232881 | Active
Price: $3,150,000 (5830 sqft)
Subdivision: The Peninsula
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Pamela Black | MLS # 4207742 | Active
Price: $2,000,000 (3931 sqft)
Subdivision: Gibbs Cove
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Alina Lorenzo | MLS # 4271846 | Active
Price: $1,790,000 (4201 sqft)
Subdivision: Country Club Shores
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Arlene Arciero | MLS # 4266915 | Active
Price: $1,445,000 (2689 sqft)
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Jillian Mason | MLS # 4273487 | Active
Price: $1,400,000 (4316 sqft)
Subdivision: Gabriel Point
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Katherine Hansen | MLS # 4256470 | Active
Price: $1,189,000 (1884 sqft)
Subdivision: Hidden Cove
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Melissa Martin | MLS # 4223853 | Active
19125 Peninsula Point Drive -- 6 BR, 8.1 BAPrice: $16,885,000 (12002 sqft)
Subdivision: The Peninsula
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Ivester Jackson | MLS # 4180906 | Active
18019 Harbor Light Boulevard -- 6 BR, 7.4 BAPrice: $14,500,000 (15048 sqft)
Subdivision: The Peninsula
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Premier Sotheby's | MLS # 3895525 | Active
16921 Jetton Road -- 7 BR, 7.5 BAPrice: $10,200,000 (9712 sqft)
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Ivester Jackson | MLS # 4191237 | Active
2536 Brawley School Road -- 4 BR, 5.2 BAPrice: $9,250,000 (6897 sqft)
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Corcoran HM Properties | MLS # 4225455 | Active
16909 Jetton Road -- 4 BR, 5.2 BAPrice: $8,399,000 (10372 sqft)
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Carlyle Properties | MLS # 4257262 | Active
22554 John Gamble Road -- 5 BR, 5.1 BAPrice: $8,250,000 (6704 sqft)
Subdivision: Country Club Shores
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Better Homes and | MLS # 4259378 | Active
16500 Green Dolphin Lane -- 6 BR, 7.1 BAPrice: $7,999,000 (8286 sqft)
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Ivester Jackson | MLS # 4197167 | Active
16439 Jetton Road -- 7 BR, 5.1 BAPrice: $7,995,000 (8048 sqft)
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Ivester Jackson | MLS # 4229113 | Active
18007 Harbor Light Boulevard -- 6 BR, 5.1 BAPrice: $7,850,000 (6586 sqft)
Subdivision: The Peninsula
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Keller Williams Lake | MLS # 4271847 | Active
172 Tennessee Circle -- 5 BR, 5.4 BAPrice: $7,500,000 (8763 sqft)
Subdivision: Northwood
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Ivester Jackson | MLS # 4252701 | Active
8397 Ranger Island Marina Road -- 7 BR, 7.2 BAPrice: $7,000,000 (7600 sqft)
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Grandfather Homes Inc. | MLS # 4250240 | Active
Listings 1 - 20 of 169 next →
LKN Waterfront Condos for Sale
Lake Norman condos
Listings 1 - 20 of 65 next →
Price: $595,000 (1378 sqft)
Complex: Schooner Bay
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Jack Beckman | MLS # 4235559 | Contract
Price: $474,000 (1164 sqft)
Complex: Kings Point
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Jack Beckman | MLS # 4238845 | Active
Price: $439,000 (1013 sqft)
Complex: Edgewater
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Yuri Jounis Carvalho | MLS # 4240938 | Active
Price: $429,000 (837 sqft)
Complex: Dockside
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Guillermo Torres | MLS # 4185266 | Active
Price: $353,000 (1094 sqft)
Complex: Pier 33
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Gale Howard | MLS # 4254628 | Active
405 Northwest Drive -- 4 BR, 3 BAPrice: $1,125,000 (1789 sqft)
Complex: North Point
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NorthGroup Real | MLS # 4222080 | Active
17931 Kings Point Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $800,000 (1490 sqft)
Complex: Biscayne
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Allen Tate Davidson | MLS # 4270430 | Active
18631 Harborside Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $790,000 (1417 sqft)
Complex: Harborside
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Premier South | MLS # 4258715 | Active
1008 Southwest Drive -- 3 BR, 3 BAPrice: $785,000 (2050 sqft)
Complex: South Harbortowne
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Helen Adams Realty | MLS # 4222763 | Active
17810 Half Moon Lane -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $774,900 (1407 sqft)
Complex: Half Moon Bay
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EXP Realty LLC | MLS # 4248678 | Active
18589 Vineyard Point Lane -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $759,000 (1252 sqft)
Complex: The Moorings
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Keller Williams Lake | MLS # 4235966 | Active
7822 Village Harbor Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $749,900 (1471 sqft)
Complex: Villages at Harborside
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Saige Real Estate | MLS # 4245678 | Active
637 Williamson Road -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $725,000 (1724 sqft)
Complex: Harbor Point Village
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Century 21 Lawrie | MLS # 4009846 | Contract
637 Williamson Road -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $719,000 (1775 sqft)
Complex: Harbor Point Village
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houzRE | MLS # 4241846 | Active
17931 Kings Point Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $695,000 (1396 sqft)
Complex: Biscayne
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Redfin Corporation | MLS # 4212481 | Active
18679 Vineyard Point Lane -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $689,900 (1217 sqft)
Complex: Vineyard Point
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Puma & Associates | MLS # 4265286 | Active
18700 Nautical Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $687,500 (1397 sqft)
Complex: Commodores Landing
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Keller Williams | MLS # 4246194 | Active
20417 Harborgate Court -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $675,000 (1351 sqft)
Complex: Harborgate
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Chosen Realty of NC | MLS # 4263647 | Active
7836 Village Harbor Drive -- 3 BR, 2 BAPrice: $670,000 (1278 sqft)
Complex: Villages at Harborside
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Call It Closed | MLS # 4243199 | Active
637 Williamson Road -- 3 BR, 2.1 BAPrice: $669,000 (1602 sqft)
Complex: Harbor Point Village
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Century 21 Lawrie | MLS # 3920590 | Contract
Listings 1 - 20 of 65 next →
The Martin Real Estate Team of Lake Norman
The Martin Real Estate Team of Lake Norman is here to help and answer all of your Real Estate Needs and Questions 7 days a week.
Questions, or would you like to receive more information about a Buying a Home for Sale, or interested in Listing your home for Sale, simply fill out the Our Contact Form or for a faster response you can also call the Lake Norman Specialists at 704-900-1619 right now!
- Schedule a Showing Request HERE
Please Visit: Lake Norman Real Estate Blog
Sign Up: VIP Home Buyers Program
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