Blog > Thought Is Useful
I'm a planner. I could literally spend all week planning for something that would have taken me 20 minutes to actually accomplish. Still, I do think planning makes you smarter and better at making decisions when it finally comes time.
Buying a house is a good example: planning it out is essential. If you're thinking about making a huge move, there are so many variables you aren't quite sure about. Interest rates, of course, are a huge question, and to be quite honest, planning around them doesn't even make sense. Last year, Fannie Mae said rates would hold steady for the year, and now they're actually up. Sometimes buying in a higher interest rate environment means there's less competition, and you can get a much better price on the home.
The bigger question is: how much can you afford right now, rather than at some point in the future? That usually depends on how much you can sell your current house for. If you already own a home and you're planning to make a move, let's sit down for a strategy session on what it looks like to buy and sell at the same time. What will the new payment be? How do you apply the equity from your current home to make your new payment more manageable? And of course, the biggest question: how will you find a home you'll actually love, at the right price, that will make you and your family really happy?
While brilliant minds spend time planning, talking to an expert before you're ready to move can be really helpful. You don't have to do this alone. There's an infinite number of questions, and sometimes asking the right ones in a brainstorming session will help you make smart decisions when you're finally ready. If you're planning ahead, check out my Buyer Series, which walks you through quick micro-learning lessons, or schedule a strategy session and we'll make a plan for your move, even if it's a year or two away.
~ Heather O'Leary
