8 Tips to Guide You On Your Home Search
- Know before you look - Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing. Use this helpful Buyers Property Wish List
- Be realistic - It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property. (See Buyers Wish List Resource above)
- Get your finances in order - Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.
- Don’t ask too many people for opinions - It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.
- Decide your moving timeline - When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? Do you have a home to sell first? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.
- Think long term - Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.
- Insist on a home inspection – Protect your future investment, get a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.
- Get help from a REALTOR® - Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.
Are you ready and equipped to begin your home search? Contact a qualified REALTOR® today – CATRINA FOSTER REAL ESTATE GROUP
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