Dear First-Time Buyer,
If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, and a great investment of both your time and money. We have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:
Tip #1: Do Your Homework
The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.
Tip #2: Start Planning
Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. Our website is a great resource for property information.
Tip #3: Get PreQualified
Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.
Tip #4: Look for Value
When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires caution.
Tip #5: Hire an Agent
It is very important to have a knowledgeable real estate agent represent you throughout your home buying experience. A designated real estate agent provides not only negotiating power, but countless relationships with professionals throughout the industry all over the the state. As a First-Time Buyer you will be kept up-to-date on your local market and on homes that fit your criteria, all ahead of the public systems. In real estate there is a lot to know & remember, having an experienced real estate agent equips you with the tools necessary to handle any challenge or opposition that comes your way. Best of all, as a Buyer you never pay an agent any money out of pocket, for all commissions are already accounted for and paid by the Seller.
Tip #6: Decide What You're Looking For
Settle on the home features that are important to you (updated kitchen, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities.
Tip #7: Relax
You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When deciding whether or not to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.
Tip #8: Protect Yourself
When you've found the right home, you should place your offer and once accepted you will sign contracts to begin the process. Depending on the conditions of the agreement, you should use this time to have the home inspected and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you're getting into.
Want more information or assistance? Start by giving us a call. We're confident that we can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, we would love to be of assistance to you.