You have finally decided to move, you're excited, right? Suddenly life is about to change! The people you meet, where you go grocery shopping, schools and sometimes even the town you live in!
Moving house is a huge decision; for most people, housing is at the top of their lifetime major purchases list. So, it's no wonder that some first-time buyers are worried about making the right decision when choosing a home.
As a Realtor, I meet lots of clients. Some take homeownership in their stride, others, such as first-time buyers, find the process more than a little tricky.
The first thing many first time buyers do is to and start looking at homes. Find one they fall in love with, then realize they cannot afford it. They may have seen the home online, then go to an advertised open house, or maybe a neighbor has a home to sell, and they like the area. I cannot stress strongly enough that working with a professional licensed Realtor is by far the best way forward.
I know you are thinking, well he would say that! However, regardless of which Realtor you choose, I would still give the same advice. Having a professional Real Estate Agent assist you, provides the buyer with many more opportunities than they would find by just looking around themselves.
Licensed Realtors have access to the multiple listing service and have access to newly listed homes within minutes of being listed for sale. They only have you, their client, as their priority. Buying a home from a friend or neighbor may work out, but when it comes to negotiating and running analyses on pricing, a good Realtor will protect you from making unsound decisions and losing money and make sure you are fully aware of all the opportunities available to you. Some specialize in finding homes for first-time buyers.
There is so much to think about when buying, surveys, title, getting home inspections, making sure that everything happens within the time limits imposed by the contract. Finding your first home should be fun. You should be able to relax and feel confident in the abilities of the Realtor you choose to be by your side.
Take your time, find a good mortgage broker who can tell you what price range you should be searching in. Find an excellent Realtor that gives your confidence. Doing the groundwork first will result in a better long term decision, rather than a hurried resulting in buyers remorse.
