There are some important steps to finding and buying a home. Working with The Real Estate One Family of Companies, I can make your experience easier. Use our tools to make your search easier and follow these steps toward homeownership.
for the week of May 19th
Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying
- Find a real estate professional who you like. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.
- Remember, there’s no “right“ time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
- Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.
- Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.
- Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.
- Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.
- Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
- Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
- Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.
- Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.
Step One: Loan pre-approval.
The biggest advantage buyers have when negotiating a home purchase is loan pre-approval. To learn about the benefits of pre-approval before you make an offer, please contact me.
Step Two: Know what is available.
Real Estate One’s HomeMatch service lets you choose the home features that are important to you. As your agent, I watch the market and contact you when homes become available. This is one of the most efficient ways to keep ahead of the market. To get started, please click here.
Step Three: Use all the tools.
Browse available listings, properties with Virtual Tours, and open houses. With the Real Estate One Family of Companies and my website, you have access to more virtual tours than any broker in Michigan. Another option is to phone Infoline at 888-736-LIST to hear detailed information on properties by providing an infoline property code found on yard signs and in various newspaper ads.
Step Four: Secure your mortgage.
Once you have found your home, your pre-approval will speed the process of completing your financing and quickly getting you into your new home. To learn more, please contact me.
Step Five: Take it easy!
Take the easy route to moving by letting me help plan your move. In addition to moving services, I can help with all the resources you need to make your home purchasing and ownership experience a great one. For more information, please contact me.