Course Title: The Power of Ownership™: Easy Steps to Smart Homebuying
STEP 8: Starting Your Home Search
- COURSE OVERVIEW
With financial readiness in place, pre-approval secured, and a trusted realtor by your side, you are now ready to start the exhilarating journey of house hunting. Step 8 of The Power of Ownership™ teaches participants how to conduct a focused, values-aligned, and strategic home search that reflects not only their financial capacity but also their lifestyle vision, long-term goals, and community preferences.
This step emphasizes intentionality over impulse. It equips buyers with the tools and questions to evaluate neighborhoods, assess property condition, and prioritize needs versus wants. Participants learn how to read listings critically, tour homes with discernment, and develop a personalized non-negotiables checklist.
Starting your home search is not just about finding a house—it’s about identifying a space where faith, family, and future can thrive. This step empowers participants to approach their search with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
- LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module, participants will:
- Understand the key components of an intentional home search.
- Identify and define personal non-negotiables vs. preferences.
- Learn how to research neighborhoods, school districts, and crime rates.
- Recognize how listings are written and what red flags to spot.
- Know how to plan and conduct home tours strategically.
- Evaluate properties through a lens of long-term value and lifestyle fit.
III. SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION
Proverbs 24:27 (NIV) – “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.”
This verse reminds us of the order of preparation. Before buying a house, wise buyers evaluate the land (neighborhood), the environment (community), and their needs (season of life). Don’t just buy what’s pretty—plant yourself where you can prosper.
- INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“Don’t just find a house that fits your furniture. Find a home that fits your future.” — Coach Greb
- BUILDING YOUR HOME SEARCH FOUNDATION
Before jumping on listing websites, buyers should pause and define what matters most:
- Purpose: Why are you buying? (Space? Equity? School district? Stability?)
- People: Who will live in the home now—and who may join later?
- Priorities: What lifestyle needs must the home support?
- Plan: What is your ideal move-in timeline?
Self-Reflection:
- Do I need space for remote work?
- Am I planning for children, aging parents, or income space (like a rental unit)?
- What daily routines must my home support (e.g., prayer, hosting, work-from-home)?
- NON-NEGOTIABLES VS. NICE-TO-HAVES
Every buyer must separate must-haves from nice-to-haves to avoid emotional overspending.
Examples of Non-Negotiables:
- Budget limit (stay within pre-approval range)
- Number of bedrooms/bathrooms
- Commute time to work/school/church
- Safety and neighborhood type
Examples of Nice-to-Haves:
- Granite countertops
- Large backyard
- Finished basement
- Fireplace or skylight
Creating a Home Search Criteria Matrix helps clarify your vision.
| Feature | Must-Have | Nice-to-Have | Deal Breaker |
| 3+ Bedrooms | ✔️ | ||
| School Zone | ✔️ | ||
| HOA Fees | ✔️ if over $300 | ||
| Garage | ✔️ |
VII. NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH
A home is more than the house—it’s the block, the street, the city, and the spirit of the place. Buyers should research:
- School Ratings: Use sites like GreatSchools.org or local board reports
- Crime Statistics: Local PD websites, SpotCrime, NeighborhoodScout
- Commute Routes: Time to church, work, school, family
- Future Development: Is the area improving or declining?
- Community Values: Faith presence? Parks? Grocery and healthcare access?
Fieldwork:
- Visit the neighborhood at different times (day, night, weekends)
- Talk to neighbors
- Check noise levels, traffic, and walkability
VIII. DECODING LISTINGS
Real estate listings are written to highlight strengths and hide flaws. Learn to read between the lines:
Common Terms and What They Might Mean:
- “Cozy” = small
- “Up-and-coming” = gentrifying or in transition
- “As-is” = needs work, seller won’t fix anything
- “Low-maintenance yard” = no yard
- “Vintage charm” = outdated
Red Flags in Listings:
- No interior photos
- Unusual layout not explained
- “Cash buyers only” or “Investor special”
- Price drops over time (suggests issues)
- CONDUCTING SMART HOME TOURS
Before the Tour:
- Review listing and neighborhood data
- Bring checklist, tape measure, and flashlight
- Prepare questions (roof age, systems, permits)
During the Tour:
- Take photos or videos
- Look beyond staging (paint, candles)
- Check closets, windows, insulation, water pressure
After the Tour:
- Review with your realtor
- Compare to other properties using your criteria matrix
Pro Tip: Don’t try to tour more than 4–5 homes in one day to avoid fatigue and confusion.
- CASE STUDY: The Martins’ Search for Peace and Purpose
The Martins were a blended family of five, looking for a home with space, safety, and a good school zone. Initially, they searched based on square footage and price alone. They found a beautiful house—but traffic was heavy, the nearest church was 40 minutes away, and the schools had poor reviews.
With guidance from their realtor and this course, they re-centered their values. They listed their top non-negotiables: school zone, quiet neighborhood, proximity to faith community, and a yard for the kids.
In two weeks, they found a smaller house in a better neighborhood with a top-rated school and nearby church. Though the kitchen was older, it felt right.
Lesson: Buying peace often means prioritizing purpose over polish.
- DO’S AND DON’TS
✅ DO:
- Define your non-negotiables before you tour
- Tour the neighborhood, not just the home
- Ask your agent about zoning, traffic, and development plans
- Sleep on it—never rush into a decision
❌ DON’T:
- Chase a look or feature over function and fit
- Ignore neighborhood warning signs
- Skip due diligence because you’re “in love” with the layout
- Overlook commute, noise, or maintenance costs
XII. PRACTICE EXERCISES
- My Home Vision Worksheet
- What does home mean to me?
- What values must it reflect?
- What spaces do I need (for worship, work, family)?
- Non-Negotiable Checklist
| Feature | Must-Have | Nice-to-Have | Not Needed |
- Neighborhood Audit Template
- Commute to Work: _____
- Commute to Church: _____
- School Rating: _____
- Walkability: _____
- Crime Report Link: _____
- Nearby Grocery/Pharmacy: _____
- Listing Decoder Activity
- Take 3 real listings and highlight terms
- Write what’s being emphasized or hidden
- Compare to photos and Google Maps
- Faith Reflection Prompt
- Am I inviting God into my search?
- What does a “home of peace and purpose” mean to me?
- Where do I sense alignment—not just appeal?
XIII. TEACHER’S MANUAL SNAPSHOT
Goals:
- Equip learners with a values-based framework for searching
- Teach them how to filter noise from listings and hype
- Strengthen discernment through discussion and reflection
Tools:
- Search criteria matrix template
- Red flag keyword guide
- Community mapping exercise
Activities:
- Group exercise: decode real listings
- Pair share: what “home” means to each participant
- Instructor-led mock tour: what to look for
XIV. PARTICIPANT GUIDE SUMMARY
Includes:
- Home vision journal prompts
- Property comparison table
- Daily tour checklist
- Faith and values alignment tool
Assignments:
- Tour two neighborhoods without scheduling showings
- Create a list of top 5 features and deal-breakers
- Review 3 listings and complete decoder activity
- CONCLUSION
Starting your home search is a sacred step. You’re not just finding walls and a roof—you’re planting your legacy. Every neighborhood has a spirit. Every home tells a story. The key is to find one that aligns with yours.
Scripture Reminder: “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” — Psalm 16:6
Search not just for beauty or budget, but for belonging. Your home should be a place where your life—and God’s purpose for it—can grow.
Course Title: The Power of Ownership™: Easy Steps to Smart Homebuying
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