Selling real estate can be just as much work as buying. There are so many things to worry about as you prepare your home to list on the market. Then you have to worry about the real estate agent you will hire to help you get the house sold. After that, you have to worry about who will be coming in to tour your home throughout the week. Will you hold an open house? Do you take the first reasonable offer you are presented with? Our blog was designed to assist you through the selling process a little bit easier.
Many people have a dream of owning their own home, and achieving that dream can be a a huge accomplishment. But the road to purchasing your first home can be stressful if you are not prepared and don't know what to expect. If you are getting ready to buy your first home, use the following tips:
Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
The terms pre-approved and pre-qualified for a mortgage are often confused or mistakenly used interchangeably, but they are actually very different from each other. Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage means that a lender thinks you may be a good candidate for a loan based on basic information, and they will provide a ballpark figure of how much they may loan you.
Other the other hand, being pre-approved means that a lender has thoroughly reviewed all of your financial information, sent it through underwriting, and has approved you for a mortgage up to a certain amount and secured an interest rate. When you are pre-approved for a mortgage you know that you have funding available and also know exactly how much you can afford to spend on buying your first home.
Take Your Time Selecting a Real Estate Broker
As a first time buyer who is not familiar with the whole home buying process, having an excellent real estate broker is essential for a good experience. It is in your best interest to meet with several different real estate brokers and get an idea of who you are most comfortable with and who has a proven track record of being a successful buyers agent. After you select a real estate broker, you can count on him or her to show you homes, answer all questions you may have, write up offers, and guide you through the escrow process up until you close on your first house.
Be Realistic
Purchasing a home is a huge investment, so it is understandable to be a bit choosy, but as a first time buyer it is also important to be realistic when looking at homes. Most first time buyers don't have the budget to buy their exact dream home, so some concessions may need to be made in order to find a house that suits your family. It can be very helpful for your real estate broker if you make a list of things that you need in a home, and another lists of things that you would like to have. This will make it easier for him or her to find homes that have what you need, while hopefully also having several features that you want.
Share3 February 2016
