7 Tips for Buyers to Keep From Feeling Overwhelmed

You just made an offer on the house you love and it has just been accepted!

Congratulations!!

But then the panic and feeling of being overwhelmed sets in.  It’s a time filled with many different emotions, a seemingly endless To Do List, critical due dates, and a multitude of important decisions to be made. Buying a house is a tough challenge, no matter how well qualified you are, or even if you’ve done it before, and it’s pretty normal to feel stressed out.

Especially when you already lead a busy life and now have what feels like another full time job to do!  But there are some things you can do to manage that overwhelmed feeling and get done what has to be done. It's your responsibility!

1. Rely on your Buyer Agent

It’s his or her job to guide you through the process, help solve problems, answer questions, keep you on track, and yes, try to calm those fears and address your concerns. You may feel you are constantly emailing, texting or calling, but don’t hesitate for a moment if you have questions, concerns, have forgotten what was discussed, or just need reassurance. Your agent does this all the time and should expect it.

2. Keep a list of questions

There will be a lot of them, but if you don’t keep track (on paper, on your iPhone, whatever works best) you will forget. When you are feeling in a panic, anxious, or overwhelmed the brain just doesn’t work as efficiently and you will forget stuff. While you may think you can remember it all, trust me, you won’t. And then you will worry that much more because you know there is something you were supposed to remember but can’t.

Often panic in a transaction sets in because you don’t know the process, or what to expect, or what comes next, or the answer to what seems to be an important question. ASK, ASK, ASK!

3. Keep a To Do List

You may not be a list maker but this is a good time to start – try using a note book, Notes on your phone, or a file folder. There are a multitude of things that have to be done, and the more you think about the process and get into your transaction the more items you will need to add to your list.

You will feel more in control with a list you can refer to, and smile, or breathe a sigh of relief, as you check off those To Do’s!

4. Prioritize

It’s important to not get sidetracked by things which are simply not a priority and that can derail you from focusing on the essentials. Plus you will feel that much more out of control if you worry about those issues that just aren’t that important that add to the list of stuff. Worrying about what paint color you want for your living room is NOT a priority. Getting those documents to your lender as quickly as possible IS

5. Track important and essential dates 

Use a calendar, your Smartphone, or perhaps your To Do List. These should include the date of your inspection, the date to remove contingencies, the date for your loan approval, the date for signing loan documents, and the best, of course, your closing date!

6. There are key dates in the contract, so be sure to read that carefully (AND consult with your agent, who will hopefully be sending you reminders).

Plus there may be other dates to track – the date the movers arrive, for example. Missing dates can put your transaction in jeopardy, which will panic you further. And forgetting a date that suddenly looms tomorrow will surely increase your stress level.

7. Stay in touch with your lender contact (if getting a mortgage)

The loan approval is pretty darn important and it takes time. If you don’t get your loan, you don’t get the house! There’s lot to do with the application, providing numerous documents, and sharing information.

You want to know where things are in the process (e.g., has the appraisal been ordered?), and that the information you shared was received.

Don’t make any assumptions – it’s better to call or email to double-check if you don’t hear anything. Not knowing will drive you nuts, and make you feel even more stressed!

Take some time to relax, and to dream 

Working non-stop can make you feel even more stressed. You need some down time, so take a few moments here and there to relax, take a walk, do things that you enjoy, and yes, to dream about the new home and be excited about the process. Just be sure you are available - don't disappear on an impromptu vacation.

A cautionary note, though – things CAN happen. There are no guarantees until it’s over, but the further along you are in the process the more comfortable you will feel. So be excited, but be realistic, too.