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First Time Buyers

If you are a first-time home buyer, we have some fantastic information for you! If you've never bought a home, you don't know what you don't know, right? It's our job to make sure you don't bump your head along the way and we do that by providing you with information.

If you love to learn, like we do, take our free course below and learn how to avoid the 7 most common mistakes when buying your first home.  It's fun and educational, just click the image below or here!

Here is a preview of what you can learn in the course. 

  • Pre-Qualification: This is when you call a mortgage broker and find out how much you can afford to pay for a home. They pull your credit, and may ask a few questions, but don't go into much detail. It's not a very strong position to be in and there is still quite a bit of uncertainty around a "pre-qualification" letter in the eyes of a seller.
  • Pre-Approval: While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You'll also avoid being disappointed by not inadvertently going after homes that are out of your price range. With pre-approval, you actually apply for a mortgage and receive a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, when you find the home you want the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan.
  • List of Needs & Wants: Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes, things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. You may not get everything on your wish list, but why shoot for mediocrity? Let's get as close to perfect as we can.
  • Representation by a Professional: Consider hiring your own real estate agent, one who works solely for you, the buyer, not the seller. Someone like us! Until you agree to be represented, every agent is deemed to be working for the seller. This means they can't give you advice or tell you the truth about what they know. Further, sellers pay all the commissions in our market, which means our expertise and service to you will never cost you a penny. We are free to show you any property that is for sale, tell you the truth about the home and work solely on your behalf. What a deal!
  • Visualize the house empty & with your decor: Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light? Let's take some measurements, we'll bring the tape.
  • Be Objective: Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, our job is to help you take the emotion out of the decision making process. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so there is no need to make a hurried decision that you may regret later. When we show you homes, we will help you understand the pros and cons of each property as well as the most likely sales price.

All the above may seem rather overwhelming. That is why having a professional represent you and keep track of all the details for you is highly recommended. Please contact us directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail!