FOR BUYERS

Let me help you find your dream home.

Buying a home is a big move.

Follow my 5 tips to help make your buying process as smooth as possible.

Before beginning the house hunting process, prospective homebuyers should receive
preapproval from one or more lenders to verify the amount of money they are qualified to borrow. Then, after taking into account additional costs of ownership such as taxes, utilities and insurance, buyers should determine a final budget they can comfortably afford. When listings are scarce, bidding wars can drive up prices, so buyers must be prepared to walk away if the asking price surpasses their budget.

When housing inventory is tight, buyers may need to compromise on what they believe they want from a home. Certain wants, such as stainless appliances or hardwood floors, can be added later. However, if a buyer wants to be in a specific school district or have a decent sized backyard, those cannot be addressed later and must be taken into account during the house hunting process.

Before applying for a mortgage pre-approval, it is advised that you do a little online research. Review the real estate market where you intend to move to see what houses are going for in that area. Remember to add in your needs and wants list from above to ensure you’re getting estimate sale prices on compatible properties.

Typically, before going to visit a home or put in an offer, you need to have a pre-approval notice from a mortgage company. Sellers are only interested in conducting business with individuals who are serious about purchasing a home and if you’ve gone through the initial loan process, this shows your intent. A pre-approval is easy to get and generally just requires both of your financial information.

Hiring a real estate agent is essential when looking for your dream home. Your agent is your advocate to help you make your dream come true. Keep in mind that agent commissions are generally paid by the seller, not the buyer so there is little to no cost to you.

As your agent, I will:

Educate you about the current conditions of the market.
Analyze what you want and what you need in your next home.
Co-ordinate the work of other needed professionals throughout the process.
Guide you to homes that fit your criteria and budget.
Negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible.
Check and double-check paperwork and deadlines.
Inform and discuss with you, and suggest solutions to solve any problems that may arise.

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