Whether your first home purchase or your tenth, every buyer needs a dedicated partner, honest advisor, and thoroughly knowledgeable professional to guide them through the potentially puzzling process, from mortgage approval to closing and moving into their new home.
Is It Better Right Now To Rent Or To Buy?
What Steps Should I Take To Prepare To Buy A Home Within a Year?
I’m a first-time home buyer. HELP!
How do I figure out how much I can spend on a home?
Are foreclosures a good or bad investment?
How do I begin?!
These are only a few very important questions that buyers ask. We have the answers.
Our Best Tips for a Successful Home Search
1. LIST OF NEEDS & WANTS
Make a simple wish list for what you want in your new home. Categorize into “musthaves” and “deal breakers”. If you are shopping with your partner, discussthoroughly so you’ll be on the same page during your house hunt. Once you begin seeing a few homes, you may need to re-access this list and make edits.
2. PRE-APPROVED FIRST
Get pre-approved for a mortgage with a lender first. You want to know the top price you can afford before visiting any homes. Otherwise you may see a home, fall in love with it, only to find out you can’t afford the price.
3. LIMIT THE NUMBER OF HOMES IN ONE DAY
Don’t see too many houses in one day. You may begin to feel overwhelmed and confused after touring several homes. Too many homes in a short period of time will run together in your mind and you won’t recall which kitchen or which master bedroom belonged to which house.
4. YOU’RE BUYING A NEIGHBORHOOD TOO
Remember you are not only buying a house, but the neighborhood too. Talk to neighbors and ask questions. What do they most like about it? Is it safe? Visit it after work hours and on a weekend. Spend time in the area to determine if it offers the lifestyle conveniences you desire.
5. PRICE RANGE
Stay within your price range and consider added expenses such as taxes, home owner’s association fees, maintenance etc.
You Find a House You Love. Now What?
Once you are under contract on a home, you’ll should have a due diligence period during which you can and should hired a licensed Home Inspector who will inspect the home to discover the most important details about its condition.
Here are some of the top items you’ll want to make sure the condition of: