You did it. You’ve made the decision to purchase a home. Congratulations! Buying a home is one of the biggest milestones you’ll go through in life, and the process can be exciting, challenging, and emotional.
First steps first: Work with us to get a conditional loan approval, pending property address. An up-front conditional loan approval is basically a pre-approval on steroids. An underwriter will fully review your income, assets, and credit, not only helping you more confidently understand how much you can qualify for in terms of a home loan, but also helping you stand out from other offers when you find the right home.
Then comes the fun part: house shopping!
Eager to jump in but don’t know quite where to start? We understand! Whether this is the start of your journey to home ownership or you’re simply looking to make a change, here is a list of things to keep in mind:
- Find a great realtor, if you don’t have one already. Realtors are a knowledgeable resource that will help with the home buying process from start to finish. They can assist with finding properties, pointing out any red flags with a potential home, negotiating with the sellers of the property, contract preparation, inspections, appraisals, all the way to the closing table. We can help you find the right realtor for you, just let us know.
- Make a wish list. What are your must-haves in a home? Whether it be a dedicated office space, a butler’s pantry, or a backyard for your four-legged pets, knowing what you absolutely must have in your future home will be highly beneficial and time saving as you embark on your search.
- What are your plans down the road? Do you plan on starting a family, is your family growing, or do you have family members that will soon be leaving the nest? Is this a starter home you only plan to spend a few years in, and then look for something new? You may not have all the answers now, but to the best of your ability you’ll want to consider these factors and others when searching for your new home so you can find one that will best accommodate any future changes.
- Location, location, location! Is there a particular neighborhood or city you want to plant roots in? Do you crave being able to walk to a local park or neighborhood coffee shop? How far are you willing to commute? What is the quality of the school system? By asking yourself as many questions like these as you can think of, you’ll be able to get a sense of where you should end up buying.
Searching for the perfect home can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. We’ve helped clients who found the right home in just a few days, and some others where it took a few months or more. Don’t lose hope and don’t give up on the journey! New homes go on the market every day, so try to be both hopeful and diligent in the hunt for your dream home….there is one out there for you!