Home Buying Tips
Beginning the Process
Organization is the key to finding the home you
want while spending the least amount of time and energy.
Find out how much house you can afford. Do this before
you go house-hunting. I can refer you to a loan officer
who can help you determine how much of a down
payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment
you qualify for.
Make a list of everything you want in a home. Is a
master suite important? How many bathrooms? What
about closet space? Do you need a yard for the kids and
pets to play in? How about a fireplace or a bay window?
Do you prefer a rambler or multiple-story house?
Are schools or access to transportation important?
Separate the essentials from the items you could do without and put them on the "A" list. Prioritize the rest of the items into a second and third list in order of importance. We'll then go over the list so that I'm very clear on what you want and need in your home.
Keep good notes as we look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home.
When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs. For more information on how to assess the home's condition, refer to the Home Inspection information on this website.
Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you.
As your agent, I'll check with you regularly, even if you haven't found a house that suits your needs. Keeping in contact with you allows us to establish a good rapport, and helps me to learn how to help you effectively. I'll continue to be on the lookout for homes that suit your needs.
Organization is the key to finding the home you
want while spending the least amount of time and energy.
Find out how much house you can afford. Do this before
you go house-hunting. I can refer you to a loan officer
who can help you determine how much of a down
payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment
you qualify for.
Make a list of everything you want in a home. Is a
master suite important? How many bathrooms? What
about closet space? Do you need a yard for the kids and
pets to play in? How about a fireplace or a bay window?
Do you prefer a rambler or multiple-story house?
Are schools or access to transportation important?
Separate the essentials from the items you could do without and put them on the "A" list. Prioritize the rest of the items into a second and third list in order of importance. We'll then go over the list so that I'm very clear on what you want and need in your home.
Keep good notes as we look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home.
When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs. For more information on how to assess the home's condition, refer to the Home Inspection information on this website.
Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you.
As your agent, I'll check with you regularly, even if you haven't found a house that suits your needs. Keeping in contact with you allows us to establish a good rapport, and helps me to learn how to help you effectively. I'll continue to be on the lookout for homes that suit your needs.
Determining How Much You Can Afford
Before you start looking at homes, it's a good idea to find a target price range that you can afford. A mortgage lender will want to make sure you can qualify for the down payment, plus a monthly mortgage payment made up of: principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI).
Interest rates and your personal finances will influence the amount of house you can afford. For a quick estimate of a monthly mortgage payment for which you may qualify or to see what a how much of a home you might be able to afford, use our mortgage calculator section. But remember, it's always good to talk to a lender before you start shopping for a home. We can refer you to lenders suited to your specific financial needs.
Interest rates and your personal finances will influence the amount of house you can afford. For a quick estimate of a monthly mortgage payment for which you may qualify or to see what a how much of a home you might be able to afford, use our mortgage calculator section. But remember, it's always good to talk to a lender before you start shopping for a home. We can refer you to lenders suited to your specific financial needs.
