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Pieces of Advice for New Home Buyers – Top 3 from ActiveRain Members

By
Real Estate Agent with Maricopa Real Estate Co BR645115000

Advice Every New Home Buyer Needs to Know

 

A few days ago I asked the ActiveRain community (a community of real estate professionals) the following question: “If you could give one piece of advice to a new buyer what would it be?”

After reviewing the answers I thought I would summarize what they felt the top 3 pieces of advice potential buyers (you) should keep in mind.

 

#1 – By far the number one piece of advice these professionals had for new home buyers was best summed up by Joe Petrowsky  “To get pre-qualified by a really knowledgeable loan officer to make sure of all the options available and to make sure to address any credit challenges.”

·         The first step for any buyer is to ensure you have your ducks in a row so that when you find that perfect house you are good to go.

·         You will have a comfort level on how much you can afford and approximately what your monthly payment will be.

·         Sellers will not accept offers without this prequalification so you want to make sure you have it in hand when looking for your dream home.

 

#2 – Pick an Agent and stick with them. Gita Bantwal summed this one up perfectly – “Interview more than one agent but work with just one buyer agent as the agent can show you all homes even new construction”

·         You want an agent that is invested in you and your home purchase. You want an agent that is as loyal to you as you are to them. You want someone that is 100% in your corner and will represent you well.

·         Interview and make sure you click, then have faith they are the right person to help you through this maze to home ownership. 

 

#3 – Follow the advice of your “team”. As Barbara Todaro says: “Listen closely to what I am suggesting you do, and then DO IT.” Your team (your agent and your lender) will have your best interests in mind. They will give you some great dos and don’ts. Listen and follow. There is a reason for the advice and if you are ever unsure why they are giving it, ask “why”.  Trust me, they have your back and want to protect you. We want you to know why we are saying it so ask. It’s ok. But trust me, there is a reason.

·         For example when they tell you not to spend money there is a reason. They have seen deals fall apart in the last few days due to a couch or fridge purchase. When they say get an inspection they have seen the hidden nightmares. They are just trying to help protect your best interests. 

 

 

There you have it. Advice from some of America’s best agents.  You will read a lot of advice along your journey. Family and friends will be full of advice – they love you and care but they aren’t specialists. If you want the best possible experience, then please listen to these top 3 pieces of advice!  You will be glad you did. 

 

 

Posted by

-- ~~~~ 

Tammy Adams
Realtor®, Associate Broker, GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), ABR® (Accredited Buyer's Representative), ePro

A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa – Go Local!

 
The Maricopa Real Estate Company

21300 N. John Wayne Pkwy # 101, Maricopa, AZ 85139 
Cell: 520-233-8125  / 
Fax: (855) 271-7004

Email: tammyadams@tadams4u.com

Website: SellMyMaricopaHome.com

  

 

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Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Tammy, what a great topic to address, with advice from three savvy Active Rain agents!  All three tips are essential to purchasing a home in today's market.

May 11, 2015 04:03 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Tammy - If you don't want to listen to your agent's advice, you may want to consider a different agent or an attitude adjustment for yourself.  You have a trusted professional for a reason.

May 11, 2015 04:27 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Tammy. You are most kind to include me in your post and to be quoted along with Barbara Todaro and Gita Bantwal is very special for sure.

May 11, 2015 06:10 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Great advice from three great professionals....very well done post also.

May 11, 2015 08:10 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Tammy Adams ~ Realtor Maricopa, AZ Very nice condensation of the results from your Q & A poll. All good stuff!

May 11, 2015 09:22 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Great post - very good condensation of all the answers - Thanks for putting it together

May 11, 2015 09:30 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Tammy, you did get lots of great comments, and nice of your to share with your readers.   You should get many calls. 

May 11, 2015 10:49 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Tammy good recap and certainly the top three things buyers would be wise to listen and follow. Great advice.

May 12, 2015 01:23 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Praful Thakkar  I agree PreApproved is best. If they at least get a good solid prequalified at least we know they have contacted a lender (make sure you look at it first and it isn't a marketing mailer but from an actual lender)  Good point

Joe Petrowsky No thank you for answering one of my Questions with great insight!

May 12, 2015 01:26 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Thank you everyone for the feedback. One reason I love the Q & A is the diverse and great advice my fellow AR folks provide

May 12, 2015 01:27 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Tammy, I agree with all of your advice (and that from the top professionals). Great informational post for consumers!

May 12, 2015 06:16 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Tammy - Great advice from top agents, for anyone looking to purchase a new home.

May 12, 2015 06:37 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

How many times have we given our professional guidance and advise to clients only to have them ignore it which always ends up with them not getting the results they wanted. 

May 12, 2015 09:27 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

This is great advice for buyers, Tammy. Way to use the Q and A section. That question turned into a great post. 

May 12, 2015 11:11 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

It all starts with a solid financial foundation and ends when all parties work together for the common goal. Great recap of some excellent advice!

May 12, 2015 11:24 AM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Tammy, that was a very creative way to do your field research - use the vast resource that Active Rain members happen to be, especially when they are so generous with their advice. Thank you for summarizing it. The advice is impeccable, but the main emotional isse remains, which impacts all else and that is TRUST. One needs to trust a realtor and banker to follow their advice. You address that in pont 2, the selection process, which can be traumatic for nubies, who may not know how to say 'no' to a hard sell. Any lingering doubt will impact point #3 i.e. reluctance to follow someone's advice to the letter if there is not a basis of trust. Multiple instances of bad behavior by professionals that are supposed to be helping consumers had instilled a sense of distrust over the years.

May 12, 2015 12:01 PM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Tammy, Well Said!  Well worth the time and read of any home buyer.  Twenty-five years in mortgage finance, and ten as a REALTOR®, I still tell every client that "I cannot tell you what to do, but I can tell you what I know, and combined with what you know, allows you to make a more informed decision.  If you have questions or other concerns, please feel free to raise them.  In the end, we want your decision to be in your best interest."

and I stand ready to assist you.

May 12, 2015 12:08 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Fred Cope   I couldn't have said it any better.  Our job is to be their coach

 

Olga Simoncelli Thank you. I think we could really use the Q & A section to help our clients. I'm glad you liked it.  

May 12, 2015 03:25 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Tammy great advice and loved how you incorporated the wisdom of our friends who are great contributors to this platform....Endre

May 12, 2015 04:16 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Tammy

Enjoyed reading your post . . . . and 3 pros contributed their insight to your post . . .  . Joe Petrowsky, Barbara Todaro and Gita Bantwal. Great post.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 13, 2015 12:54 PM