Everything you need to know before signing a contract

I get phone calls all the time from first- time buyers and it is evident they are completely lost! I understand. There is a lot to know and the entire process can feel a bit overwhelming! First things first, speak with a lender! If you don't have one then then I will always recommend a trusted local loan officer. It is important to find a lender that will work for you and to find one you like! Quite honestly, once you're in contract on home you will be talking to them a lot! If you think, "we should invite this guy/ girl to a BBQ," then BINGO- you found your match! Your lender will discuss with you things like, interest rates, monthly payments and cash to close. By the time you leave your new favorite lenders office you should have a full understanding of your financing. Once this is in order then it is time to start shopping! We are now armed and ready! Your lender will also provide you with a pre-qualification letter. THIS IS GOLD! It This tells us what price point you're shopping for and what type of loan you are using. Loan types do vary and some are more stringent than others. For example, if you are obtaining an FHA loan then you should stay clear of the fixer-upper that looks like it may be held together by termites holding hands and duct tape. We will be searching for a more "move-in ready" property that may require minimal work if any. When it comes to looking for a home I often find that buyers think they know what they're looking for until they start shopping around a bit. That's okay! Sure, there are times in which my clients walk in the very first home we see and say, "this is it!' That's awesome but it doesn't always happen. As you begin visiting homes you will start to hone in on your preferences and what will work best for you and your family. Lucky for you, I like viewing homes and if you need to see a few before finding "the one," that's just fine with me. I want my clients to be happy with the home they have chosen and never feel as though they settled. When you do find the right home we will sit down together and prepare an offer that is competitive and fair. Keeping your best interest is my number one priority as we will discuss purchase price, earnest money deposits (EMD) closing costs, inspections and time-frames. I will not lie to you, there is a lot that goes into buying a home and that is why you should always use a Realtor to assist you through the process. We do this for a living and it is your Realtors job to take on the responsibility of negotiations, scheduling, paperwork and so on and so on. It is also our job to educate you on the market. It's competitive out there! There are a lot buyers and not a whole lot of inventory. This is why when you do find "the one," don't hesitate- take the jump! It's okay of you want to think on it, just remember someone else may have already decided! No worries, you'll be ready! You know to first get pre-qualified and then call your local real estate professional (I'm always happy to help!) You will be armed with knowledge and ready for battle! Well, it's not quite that intense but I will say that if you're reading this you are already taking the right steps and will enter the housing market confident, prepared and ready to go.

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