First Time Home Buyers, Slidell, Louisiana

First Time Home Buyers Guide - Slidell, La.

Welcome!  Glad you stopped by!   

I have put together a simple step-by-step First Time Home Buyers Guide to assist you with the knowledge and guidance needed to prepare you for your new adventure. 

So you are ready to buy your first home, where do you begin?

Step 1: Establish a relationship with a Buyer's Agent - In Louisiana, there is NO FEE paid by the buyer for a Buyer's Agent. 

Step 2: Get Pre-Approved.  If you haven't already established a relationship with a lender, your Buyer's Agent can assist you by providing you with contact information for Lenders that will best suite your individual needs.  Often times a pre-approval can be done over the phone taking very little of your time. 

Step 3: Get a Good Faith Estimate from your lender to have a good idea of the Down Payment, Closing Cost and Prepaids, Basically the "Cash to Close" that will be expected from you at the closing table.

Step 4: Get your Buyer's Agent and Lender in touch - Communication is KEY!  The more information you share with your Buyer's Agent, the more they will be able to assist you.  The particular terms and conditions negotiated for in your contract should be designed to suit your individual needs.

Step 5: You now know what price range you can afford to shop for - discuss with your Buyer's Agent what type of home you are looking for; How many bedrooms and bathrooms, Would you like a garage, What type of exterior do you desire, Would you like to search in a particular school district, Easy access to the interstate... etc.

Step 6: Your Buyers Agent will search for properties based on your specific criteria -  you can receive your properties via email - for ease of searching from home.  Or printouts - whichever you desire!

Step 7: View photos and information of the properties, see where they are located on Google Maps and write down the  addresses of the properties you would like to see.   Set aside a day to do 'drive-by's' to get a good feel of the properties in person.  After you have completed your drive bys you should have a complete list of properties you'd like to view, share this list with your Buyers Agent.  

Step 8: Arrange a viewing day with your Buyers Agent to tour properties of interest!  If you are seeking properties in close proximity, you can see several in a day!