Buyer's Guide

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

Next you'll need to get prequalified for a mortgage with a lender you feel comfortable with. I work with a team of skilled mortgage professionals who can help guide you through this process. They will help you understand how much each pricepoint Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, as part of my team consists of reliable and reputable licensed home inspectors. You can schedule this within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

Federal lending laws require that each home receive an independent appraisal of the property in order to protect their investment. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a price consistent with market trends. In some cases, if you're putting enough money down, your property may qualify for a "desktop" appraisal, or an appraisal waiver altogether - meaning Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac feels good enough about the value without requiring you to pay for an in person appraisal. Ask your lender or agent for details!