Many first time home buyers don’t even know were to start when they are looking for a new home. Many times people don’t really know if they are even ready to buy a home or not. Most people will spend time on the internet looking for the perfect home. Some people have been financially ready to buy a home for many months and are not aware they are ready…..or they think they are ready and they are not.
The first step should be to contact a Realtor!
. Real Estate Agents can assist you from start to finish………. and charge you nothing!
FREE advice, FREE knowledge, FREE information, FREE negotiation, etc….
Using a full time Realtor….that you like, and who knows the are you want to buy in is very important. Your Realtor can explain each step of the process. Your Realtor will be able to assess your situation and match you with a Mortgage Loan officer that can help meet your specific needs. The Realtor and Mortgage Officer will work together to make get you qualified. They will find out how much you can afford to spend….what your monthly payments will be…and how much you will need for your down payment and closing costs.
The Mortgage Officer will review different loan programs and first time home buyer programs with you. They will help you decide if it is the right time for you to purchase a home and what price you should look at. My clients often qualify for homes much higher than they can actually afford. It is important to stay in a price range you are comfortable with and make sure you can afford the monthly payments.
Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. Buyers can view dozens of homes, see multiple pictures, see aerial shots of neighborhoods, etc. Some people feel like they don’t need to use a Realtor for most of the process if at all. Realtors have first hand knowledge of the industry that is invaluable. Realtors have access to homes for sale before you can view them on-line. Most “good deals” are already pending before the average person can see them on the internet. Having someone on the inside to show you homes first is a huge advantage especially in today’s market. A Realtor can look for homes that meet your criteria and e-mail them to you as soon as they come on the market.
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