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The First Steps to Buying a House in Portland

By Cindy Westfall

Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

March 16, 2011 06:58 PM

The First Steps to Buying a House in Portland

If you're ready to get out of that apartment and want to get into a home of your own, then there are a few initial steps to start the process. I know there are many buyers who want to get out there and look at homes right away, but without knowing what your price range is, this doesn't really make sense. It might take time to get some of these things in order and that home you fall in love with now might not be there when you are ready..or might not be in your price range.

The first Step #1: Know your credit score or FICO score (Fair Isaac Corporation ). You can get a free credit report a year and can go to www.annualcreditreport.com to check it out but there are a few other great sites as well. You'll need to look it over and see if there are any issues showing up that are lowering your score and repair these. This process can take some time, so a good place to start. This score can range from 500 to 850 with the average being around high 600's. Of course the higher the score the better.

Step #2: Contact a Lender. A good lender is very important to your home buying transaction, so if you don't have a trusted lender, I can refer you to many in different locations across Portland. Once you contact a Lender, they will go over your financials, work record, assets, etc. to find out what your purchase price range will be. They will then give you a Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval letter. Your lender can go over this in better detail with you as to what they do for each one as it can be different from one to the next.

Step#3: Contact Me. Of course you can contact me right from the start and I'll be happy to guide you through the first steps of buying a home, but until we know a price range, we really need to wait to go out and look at homes. Once you know this, then I like to sit down and go over your detailed home criteria and then we get out and look for homes.

I love working with first time homebuyers! I remember the excitement of buying my first home so it's very rewarding for me to be able to guide you through the process. I know some agents don't have the patience for the many questions you have, but I am a firm believer that no question is a silly one that pertains to you getting into a home.

When your ready, give me a call or send me and e-mail at cwestfall@prunw.com and we can get you into your first home! In the meanwhile, check out mt website www.cindywesfall.com and take a look around.

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Lorinda Ward

Keffer Realty - Norfolk, VA

Serving, Hampton Roads Virginia. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Va Beach

Great information for those first time buyers you also have a great video, it is about time that I make a new video.

Mar 16, 2011 07:10 PM

Cindy Westfall

Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR

ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Lorinda, Thanks! These are just simple basic steps, but many overlook them and go right to looking at homes. I've just been starting with the videos and would rather be behind them truth be told then in front..but I think it's a good thing.

Mar 16, 2011 07:15 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Cindy....you did a great job of your video and that's a nice list of important information for buyers...hope your phone rings...

Mar 16, 2011 08:58 PM

Phil Leng

Retired - Kirkland, WA

Phil Leng - Retired

Cindy,

Very nice!

The information is basic, but well presented.

I liked the video. If I was a first time buyer I would feel reassured and comfortable.

All the best

Phil

Mar 16, 2011 10:14 PM

Cindy Marchant

Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN

"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Well...looky you, that is a great video! And best first step is to get pre qualified just like you said.

Cindy in Indy

Mar 17, 2011 12:53 AM

Hi Barbara, Me too! I've worked with many first timers and they all say they same thing...that they have lots of questions and are embarrassed to ask sometimes as well as not really knowing where to start.

Mar 17, 2011 03:01 AM

Hi Phil, Thank you. It is very basic, but a needed place to start. Too many buyers get get disappointed when they realize they have some issues on their credit report after they've been pre-qualified if they haven't taken this step first....and after they've found that home they love.

Mar 17, 2011 03:08 AM

Hi Cindy in Indy, thanks so much, pre-qualified or better yet..pre-approved is one of the basic steps that many wait until after they've found that home.

Mar 17, 2011 03:15 AM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Hey Cindy - good information. I have lots of those buyers who want to look first.

Mar 18, 2011 07:07 AM

Hi Jill, I'm hoping this post reminds buyers that it's really important to know what their price range is before they start "officially" looking. It's great to go out and look at homes and neighborhoods to do that background..but when a buyer is ready, they need to do the these steps first. It just saves disappointments down the road.

Mar 19, 2011 07:01 AM

Hi Richard, Thanks, I always have to get passed the voice part (well..and other things)...it's still odd to look at myself on video, but hey, it's me, so what ya gonna do! I'm glad you felt connected...this is a good thing.

Mar 19, 2011 07:05 AM

The First Steps to Buying a House in Portland

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