Tips For Buyers

As a real estate agent, it’s my job to help people find the perfect home, whether they’re a first time buyer or looking for their next upgrade or downsize. I’ve helped hundreds of people find the home of their dreams, which is why I’ve collected a few of my favorite tips to help you in the process of buying a home.

1. Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage – Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a new home, one of the first big steps you can take is get all of the information together so you can be pre-approved for a mortgage. It’s important to note that being prequalified for a mortage is different than being preapproved. While you can get a good estimate of how much you may be able to get with a prequalification, being preapproved guarantees you will be able to get a loan and shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. Some things you will need include various documents such as bank statements and tax returns. You will also be subject to a hard credit check during this process. It can be a good idea to work with a few different lenders for preapproval to get the best deal possible.

2. Finding an Agent – As a real estate agent myself, I know the importance of the relationship between home buyers and agents. There are several things to keep in mind when searching for a buyer’s agent. You want to find someone who has the same values as you do when it comes to searching for a home. And while experience is important, chemistry matters too. Take the time to talk to an agent and determine whether their personality is a good fit. After all, you will spend plenty of time working with them over the coming weeks as you shop for a home. Nowadays it’s easy to turn to the Internet to find a buyer’s agent, if you’re visiting my site it’s because you have noticed my level of expertise in real estate or you have been referred to me by a family or friend someone who’s had a great experience with me as their real estate agent.

3. Knowing Your Must-Haves – Before you start browsing the thousands of real estate listings, be sure you determine the must-haves you’re looking for in your next home. This will make it easier to quickly pinpoint (or eliminate) the houses you want to consider.

• Do you require a certain number of bedrooms and baths?
• Is a private home office part of your plan?
• Is a 2-car garage important?
• Do you need a big, fenced-in yard for the kids and the dog?

It may be wise to leave off cosmetic must-haves like quartz countertops and hardwood floors as they could be an easy upgrade after you move in.

If you are ready to begin browsing home listings in search of your new home and would like an experienced real estate agent who can help make the process just a little bit easier, I can be there for you. Contact me today!