First Time Home Buyers

Avoid common first time home buyer mistakes with our helpful guide and make your experience a positive one when searching for a home.

• Pre Qualifications. Speak with a mortgage broker and discover what homes are available within your budget.
• Pre-Approval: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can help streamline the home buying process and allow you to shop with confidence knowing exactly how much you have qualified for. Sellers are more likely to take your offer seriously and all associated costs can be paid upon closing on the loan.
• Benefit or Feature: Make 2 lists, First list should include all of your must haves (i.e., livingspaces, bathrooms, accessibilities, one-story or two-story). The second list should be features, things you’d like to have (mud room, pool, den) but not too necessary. As a first-time buyer, it’s likely that you won’t get everything but your list can serve as your guide to ensure that you get everything on your checklist.
• Representation by a Professional: Hire a professional that is going to represent you, the buyer, and provide you the highest quality of service.
• Location & Organization: Maximize your home search by organizing your experience:

1. Map out your preferred locations and communities you are interested in.
2. After showings, favorite your homes on GDHomes.com to compare property details in real time.
3. Take notes per listing experience.

Picture how your furniture and light fixtures you choose will shape each room.

Have an open mind: Take an analytical approach and decide if this house truly matches what you require. With plenty of options on the market to pick from, ensure that you make an educated decision rather than a rushed one.

Considerations: Pennies invested today, could be a fortune spared tomorrow.  Here is a list of a few important essentials.

1. Include your inspection and mortgage contingencies in your offer.
2. Have the property professionally appraised by an inspector.
3. Review the property 24 hours before closing.
4. Ensure that no changes have been made that were not agreed upon (i.e.; refrigerator replaced by another or no longer included).

Having a professional represent you to exhibit positive interactions while providing the highest quality of service, is essential for every stage of your real estate endeavors.