1. Renting a home is throwing away your money. Investing in property is a step towards financial freedom.        More often than not, your mortgage payment is less than rent.

2. Don’t rush!  Look at several homes before buying.

3. Check out the neighborhood.

4. Get pre-approved first. Talk to a mortgage broker.

5. Focus on structure more than cosmetics (roof, walls).

6. Obtain a good faith estimate to know what you will bring to closing.

7. Get a profile sheet on each home and take notes on it during your visit.

8. Prioritize repairs – not all damage is equal.

9. Have a good understanding of your finances.

10. If you don’t understand something, ASK QUESTIONS! Most agents work closely with the        title company, inspectors, and mortgage brokers. We are all here to help your.

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Selecting Your Realtor: 
I have several questions that I hope help kick-start the different areas of concern you may have so that you can best match yourself to a great realtor! Take a run through the following list, & get off to a great start in finding a realtor:

• How long has s/he been an active realtor, & is s/he full-time?
• What was the reason s/he joined the realty field?
• What does s/he enjoy about living in the area, & how long has s/he lived here?
• Is there local information s/he will provide?
• Will s/he share with you some common mistakes buyers make?
• What does s/he offer that make him/her different from other realtors?
• Will s/he provide a Comparative Market Analysis of homes you’re interested in?
  

 

Buying Your Home: 
Lists help you not only accomplish more than just winging it, but they also help you feel organized & less overwhelmed along the way. I’ve put together the following list of items to consider or check off as you prepare to have the most successful home buy possible!

• Learn Before You Start – Before you choose a realtor, educate yourself as much as possible. Read my lists, look online to learn real estate values, & get pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Getting prequalified narrows your search to the homes that fall into your price range.
  
  
• Hiring a Realty Agent – Depending on your buying situation, it is possible for you to be involved with several professionals at once (lenders, builders, contractors, realtors, etc). You need a realtor who can help keep communication lines clear in coordinating everyone’s needs & input, who can give you solid advice, who can educate you in the field of home purchase, who can realize your wants/needs, who can negotiate on your behalf, &, of course, who can help you find your home & represent you in purchasing your home.
  
  
• Finding Your Home – After you hire an agent, this becomes the enjoyable part!  Your realtor will provide you with listings that match the criteria you’ve shared with him/her, & s/he will be able to help you on your own searches as well. Your realtor will show you the homes s/he or you find, & also send you emails of new homes that come available during your search. As you review each home, let your realtor know what works or doesn’t work for you in order to better enable him/her to find you the perfect match.
  
  
• Making an Offer – Your realtor will represent you during closing. Your offer will be based on many variables:  current market conditions, repairs or update costs, length of time on the market, etc. You will be negotiating commissions, closing costs, home warranty, & how much earnest money you will bring to the table.
  
  
• Financing – Being pre-approved makes finalizing financing much easier on both you & your lender. Your lender’s job includes making sure you qualify for the loan, securing the best rates, preparing documentation, & handling the underwriters & their demands.
  
  
• Due Diligence – A home sale is final, so your realtor will help you with the inspection, appraisal, & repairs to ensure you are buying the exact home you want. And problems that prohibit such a guarantee enable your agent to help you take the necessary steps to terminate your offer.

 

Building a Home:

• Hiring a Realtor -- When you choose to buy a home, hiring an agent will be your biggest stress reliever.  Your realtor can handle negotiating prices, dates, upgrades, & other terms. A builder will have options, warranties, neighborhood requirements, & other jargon that your realtor can translate to you & assist you in making the decisions. S/he will also work through the builder’s contract, making sure you understand even the fine print.
  
  
• Choosing a Builder – Research different types of architecture & builders that specialize in the designs you prefer. Go visit models of their homes. Talk with your realtor. Consult with friends for referrals.
  
  
• When to Build – Once you’ve chosen to build, timing is crucial. A busy builder means a builder who is open to cutting deals.  As his costs add up, so does his willingness to meet offers. A realtor can help you find close-out sales as subdivisions near completion & builders prepare to move on.