5 Steps To Buying A Home 

The purchase of a new home can be a smooth, trouble-free experience provided you take these important steps.

1.  Get Pre-Approved By A Lender.  Most people do not know how much a lender is willing to loan them for a home purchase—until they meet with a qualified loan officer.  Lenders use essentially five criteria in determining their willingness to fund your home purchase:  1) your income, 2) down payment, 3) credit record, 4) employment status and history, and 5) the value of the property.  A pre-approval will establish a price range to aid in your shopping.  It also becomes a valuable negotiating tool once you make an offer on the home of your dreams.

2.  Select A Reputable Lender.  The lowest rates in town are not necessarily the best “deal” for you.  It pays to consider and understand all aspects of a loan program in addition to its rate. 

It is important to find a loan officer you are comfortable working with because you will soon share a substantial amount of personal financial information with this person.  Plus, you need a professional who will inform you of any problems in a timely manner – not when it’s too late for us to resolve them to your satisfaction.

3.  “Buy” For Your Needs.  Often, buyers will underestimate the size of house they need to be happy.  They buy too little house in an effort to avoid the perceived added risk of spending more cash and incurring higher payments.  However, when you look at the big picture, it will cost you far less in the long run to borrow extra cash or spend money saved for furniture to put toward your home purchase.

Buying a home is an important investment in your happiness and quality of life.  If this is your first home, spend the money now to buy a smaller home if necessary in a better area.  You’ll get a higher percentage returned of any investment you make on improvements when the time comes to sell.

4.  Inspect The Property.  Hire a professional inspector to check for such things as termites, foundation cracks, inadequate drainage, plumbing or roof problems and get a written report.  Knowing of any defects ahead of time can aid your ability to renegotiate a lower price with the seller, include a repair allowance at closing or give you the opportunity to withdraw your contract. 

5.  Buy With The Help Of A Professional Real Estate Agent—Like Me!  An experienced real estate professional offers a world of services and expertise to buyers such as yourself.  I have many resources at my disposal to help you find available homes - often, some that have not even been advertised yet.

I can assist in the selection process by guiding you to homes that are best-suited to your needs, budget and dreams, saving you time and energy in the long run.  I’ll also make available a variety of information on the local community, utilities, schools, zoning, etc.—all the things important to your home investment.

I look forward to hearing from you.