Local Buying Tips

Tips for Home Buyers

1.Review your finances – fully understand all of the costs of buying a home.

2. Find a lender that has you pre-approved not just pre-qualified.

3.Know your priorities.  Size, Room Count, Crime rate, Market values and etc.

4.Home Owners Association –Is there one on the property you like?  Find out what the monthly dues are, if there are any other assessments, the rules and regulations and how they enforce them.

5.Know that every home you buy is as is – it would be a good idea to hire a licensed and bonded home inspector to tell you more about the inner workings of the home you choose.

6.A higher credit score helps lower your loan rate, fees and the amount of your down payment.  Get a copy of your credit report and take the required steps to remove any old settled debts. 

7.Set a realistic budget.  It saves time bidding on homes you can’t afford and prevents costly mistakes. 

8.On average, lenders look for a debt to income ratio of about 30%. 

9.There are free tools online to help you accurately calculate how much home you can afford.

10.When you have financing in place you maximize your bargaining power. Even better pre-approval makes the process quicker, smoother and more stress free.

11.Shop in a neighborhood with good schools and stable community planning.  This helps ensure the home you buy will rise in value over the years to come. 

12.If sellers have their own real estate agent you should too.  Agents are well worth the commission.  They can develop powerful home buying strategies to ensure you get the best possible value for your money.