Buying A Home In Cleveland - The Complete Guide Part 1 of 7 The Initial Consultation

If you are buying a home in Cleveland, you will find this series of 7 articles very helpful. We will focus on every step of the home buying process, from the first step of the initial consultation and putting together a game plan to closing, and everything in between. Buying a home can be complicated, especially if you are a first-time buyer, haven't bought in a long time, or are relocating to Cleveland and buying from out of state. However, if you are armed with the proper information up front, you can move forward with confidence and make the entire process a lot less stressful, and even have some fun.

While the information contained in this article and the rest of the series focuses specifically on those who are buying a home in Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs, many of the main ideas described here can be used to buy a home anywhere. Keep in mind that every geographic area has different nuances and some of the things we will discuss throughout this series may not be applicable to those living in other areas of the country or outside the U.S.  

The first step to buying a home in Cleveland is the initial consultation with a real estate agent. This does not have to be a lengthy or difficult process and usually only takes an hour or so. It is critical though to define your home buying goals up front and as detailed as possible so you can achieve success. While this may sound simple, many home buyers decide their first step should be to look at houses on line and go see them at an open house. While there is nothing wrong with driving around looking at homes, if you are serious about buying and want to make sure you don't make any costly mistakes, you should sit down with a real estate professional and map out a plan.

Think of it this way, if you were going on a 2 week vacation with your family, would you just pile everyone in the car and start driving? Probably not, so buying a home should be viewed the same way, you need to have a plan. In fact, using the above analogy of going on a trip, working with a real estate agent would be equivalent to having a high-end GPS system navigate you from start to finish. The best thing is that when  buying a home in Cleveland, the seller pays all real estate commissions, so hiring a buyer's agent does not cost you any money.

The initial consultation should be done in person, although those relocating to Cleveland may need to do it by phone. Regardless, this important first step is a time of fact gathering, so be prepared to be asked a lot of questions. In turn, you should feel comfortable asking questions as well, to make sure you and your agent are on the same page.  Remember, this is the beginning of what will hopefully be a successful long-term relationship, so asking questions and being able to speak openly and honestly with each other is important.

It is during this time that you will discuss things like time frame, if you need to sell before buying, your price range, and specifics about the desired location and type of home you are looking for. The more information your agent has, the easier it will be for them to find you that one special home. We realize that many home buyers just want to start seeing homes and prefer to skip this initial first step, but don't make this mistake. This first step is the most important and can dictate the success of your home buying experience.

If you would like to continue reading the Complete Guide To Buying A Home In Cleveland, click the link below to get to Step 2:

Getting Pre-Approved 

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About The Authors:

This information is provided compliments of Amy and Dan Schuman, The Schuman Team Keller Williams Realty. The Schumans have worked with numerous professional athletes, business owners, and those relocating to Cleveland from out of the area.

If you are considering buying a home in the Cleveland area, please contact the Schuman Team at 216-346-3235. 

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Buying A Home In Cleveland The Complete Guide Part 1 Initial Consultation is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©Aug 2009