Pick Your Finish
The very first thing to consider when you want to purchase a home is when you would like to move in. Once you have an end date in mind, I can help you design a plan and create a to-do list based on your timeline. Each item on your list will be more efficient if it’s based on a specific end date and takes into account the local market and how fast or slow things are moving.
Narrow the Search
Before you begin actively viewing homes, you’ll want to narrow down your search by researching cities and neighborhoods. The old real estate adage of “location, location, location” is absolutely true, and it’s much easier to find the home that suits your needs if you first know where to look. Think about your lifestyle and where you see life taking you in the next few years. If you are unfamiliar with the neighborhoods that you are considering, try taking some weekend trips to walk or drive around and familiarize yourself with the amenities and the pace of the neighborhood. There are also numerous online resources where you can look up the walkability score, local restaurants, distance to shopping centers and grocery markets, schools, crime rates, and virtually any other important item.
Prioritize Features
Neighborhoods and homes vary greatly, and while a master list of features for your dream home is a great place to start, you’ll likely need to make some compromises along the way. Those are easier if you’ve already prioritized your list some. Would you rather have a large kitchen with an island or an enclosed home office? Would you rather have a large yard or a walkable neighborhood? These are questions that only you can answer, so giving them some thought before you view homes will make life easier down the road.
Get Pre-approved
The mortgage pre-approval is probably the most important step in preparing to shop for a home, and it’s often the step that causes the most anxiety. However, it doesn’t need to. Speaking to a lender and getting pre-approved puts a buyer in the best possible situation. They know exactly what they can afford, they know what that purchase price translates into for monthly mortgage payments, and they are ready and able to make an offer when they find the house that speaks to them. In our current market, many sellers won’t consider an offer unless a pre-approval is attached. They want the security of knowing that a lender has viewed the buyer’s financial statements and feels confident that the buyer won’t have issues purchasing the house. Also, speak to multiple lenders. You’ll work closely with your lender, so it’s good to interview a couple and choose a lender that you feel comfortable with and that communicates well on top of providing excellent service and good rates.
View Homes
This should be the fun part! Tell me what you want to see and when you’re available, and I will coordinate appointments for you to view homes and walk you through each property. Some you’ll love, some you’ll hate, and some will leave you pondering their layout and design. Some buyers walk into one or two homes, fall in love, make and offer, and wrap things up in no time. Other buyers take their time and go to home after home, taking months (or more) to finally settle on their new home. There’s no right or wrong way to shop, so take the pressure off of yourself and enjoy the process. You’ll learn more about your wants and needs along the way, and you may end up making a few adjustments to your list of priorities.
Make an Offer
Once you find the home that you want to call your own, plan to spend some time with me. I’ll have a few questions for you before I write up your offer. Once the offer is written, you’ll need to review and sign it before it can be sent over to the seller’s agent.
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