If you’re looking for a great town in which to live, they don’t come much better than Auburn, Alabama. However, between a hot market, the natural housing demands of a college town, and the growing popularity of this area in general, finding the right home in Auburn at any price point can be a challenge for buyers. You need to approach your home search strategically by narrowing your search or consulting a builder like Lowder New Homes. That said, with a bit of planning, it’s still possible to find your dream home here. Here are five practical tips for finding Auburn homes for sale.
1. Figure Out Your Auburn Home Budget
The first step in making your home search easier is to rule out homes that aren’t in your price range — that way, you don’t waste your time or energy on properties that won’t make your list anyway. Take a look at your current housing costs and your income/expenses to figure out what you can afford to pay monthly. You might also consider getting pre-qualified with a lender so you have an idea of how much a bank might be willing to lend. Knowing how much home you can afford will help you narrow your search to real contenders.
2. Know What You Need in an Auburn Home
Another way to eliminate unnecessary home viewings is to make a list of your must-have home features. Would you prefer a specific property type, such as a single-family home, a townhouse, or a condo? How many square feet? How many bedrooms do you need? How many baths? Do you need an attached garage? A backyard? A large kitchen with luxury appliances and marble countertops? A roomy dining room for entertaining? A corner lot or a cul-de-sac? Do you want to deal with an HOA? Knowing the “deal-breakers” in advance will save you a lot of time in finding Auburn homes for sale.
3. Check MLS Real Estate Listings in Auburn
These days, real estate listings are readily available to potential homebuyers through multiple listing service (MLS) databases. This is the best way to stay up-to-date on new listings. At Lowder New Homes, we provide this search functionality and listing information on our website, but you can also check sites like Zillow and Trulia to find current listings. These sites let you narrow your search by parameters like price, number of bedrooms, etc. — parameters you just figured out in steps 1 and 2.
4. Consult an Auburn Real Estate Agent
If you find the online searches tedious, or if you want to save time and energy, you might consider working with a local Auburn real estate agent from the start — especially if you’re new to the area. A realtor will have insider knowledge of the best neighborhoods and open houses in Auburn and can quickly help narrow your search to the houses, townhomes, and condos that might be most suited to you.
5. Consider a New Construction Home in Auburn
Auburn is one of the fastest-growing cities in Alabama, and that means new subdivisions are springing up across the area. If you want to bypass much of the hassle of finding an existing home for sale in Auburn, you might consider buying a new construction home in one of these new neighborhoods. New constructions are comparable in price to existing homes; they require less upkeep; and you can work directly with the builder to customize features to your needs and wants. In a housing market where availability can be a challenge, new constructions are often the best bet.
Learn More About New Construction Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Lowder New Homes has been building well-constructed new homes for more than 60 years, and we’re pleased to be a preferred builder in the lovely Summerlin neighborhood in Auburn. To discuss your options with one of our real estate agents or learn about our floor plans, call us at 334-270-6789.