First Time Homebuyers
  
First Time Homebuyers

If you feel a little afraid or intimidated buying your first home, that's okay, after all, you're thinking about making a very serious, long- term commitment. Buying a home doesn't have to be overly stressful though, in fact it can be fun and it's incredibly satisfying in the end. As a buyer you need to find a Realtor that you not only feel comfortable working with, but also one who is able to answer all of your questions completely. And remember...there are no dumb questions!

When I‘m working with first time buyers, we consider the following:

  • Is buying a home your best choice right now or would it better to rent for a while?
  • If you decide to buy, how much can you afford?
  • How much will your mortgage payments be?
  • How about the down payment?
  • What type of home are you looking for? Do you plan on living in it for a long time?
  • Which type of home would be the best investment in your price range?
What Happens Next?

One of the first steps in buying a home is to become pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage. This means that you have gone to a lender, discussed your finances with them, and they have qualified you for a mortgage of a certain amount. Now, you know how much you can spend on your home before you even start looking.

Once you are pre-approved, it's best to shop around with a professional. Seeing various homes in your price range will help you feel comfortable with the real estate market (prices and the speed at which homes are selling) that you'll be purchasing in. Real estate markets can change quite quickly, depending on the season, job availability in the area, and so on.

When you find a home that you would like to buy, you will write an offer with your Realtor and wait for a response from the Sellers. There is usually some negotiating back and forth until both parties come to an agreement on the price and dates of completion. Once everyone is in full agreement of all of the terms on the contract, and all of the right forms have been signed by all of the right people- you've bought yourself a house!