Buyers

Get started and informed

The process of buying a home can also be quite stressful. This is true not only for first-time buyers, but also for veteran homebuyers. As the real-estate market changes over time, lenders begin offering a growing variety of mortgage products for every need. Consequently, you need to be prepared to make the right decisions. Knowing exactly what to expect is a great way to start.

Being an educated consumer is always a smart move. When the purchase is something as important and expensive as a new home, a solid understanding of the home-buying process is your best asset. If you feel stressed over the proposition of buying a new home, know that you are not alone. There are many others who are in a similar position and feel the same way. Fortunately, you have the power to reduce home-buying stress.

Here are some of the most important things that you should do when you are a first-time home buyer. Even if you have purchased a home before, you might appreciate a refresher course on some basic ideas that you may have forgotten.

Talk to Friends and Family

Every situation is different and will have many different variables apart of the home-buying equation. I believe it is always wise to seek the assistance and advice of people who are familiar with the local real-estate market. They may also have a great realtor in mind to assist you with working through this process.

Turn to your friends and family members whom you trust. They can provide simple referrals for realtors or home inspectors, giving you one less thing to research! Take full advantage of your friends’ knowledge, which they will be more than happy to share with you.

You may even ask someone who has recently purchased a home in the area where you plan to live is advantageous, because you can learn from their first-hand experience about common local practices. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn something from a friend in another state, but because the real-estate market is segmented, the home- buying process often varies by location.

Keeping yourself informed via the internet

…it is important to know what you will need to do in order to complete the purchase once you find the home of your dreams.

The internet is full of information about the home-buying process, different types of mortgage programs and lenders, and even consumer reviews of service providers. You can also find many homes available for virtual showings, so that you can concentrate in-person visits on the homes that interest you most.

Stick with names you know when looking for information online. Otherwise, you may be tricked by false information and misleading sales tactics. Fortunately, the benefits of looking at homes online outweigh the disadvantages, and chances are you will find beneficial information about the process of buying a home.

Most of today’s homebuyers report that they found their new home through a realtor’s website or another listing service. Looking for homes online is a no-pressure wayto identify what you do and don’t like about different homes. It is also a great way to save time. When you browse home listings from the comfort of your own home, you are better prepared when it comes time to schedule physical visits either through Castro Marketing and Associates or through a realtor you trust.

Speak with a Real Estate Specialist

A ten-minute conversation with a real-estate agent or mortgage lender can be priceless. Your realtor will be more than happy to discuss the home-buying process in your area.

In the early stages of shopping for a new home, call several mortgage lenders to learn about current mortgage rates and incentive programs or with the Castro Marketing and Associates we can get you a pre-approval started right away. Don’t forget to ask about first-time buyer programs, which our advisors can often help you save money now and in the future.

If you are a first time buyer, you may also be eligible to participate in various programs that provide assistance with the down payment or closing costs. Your local housing authority will have information about conducting research and applying for assistance through such programs.

Never Stop with the First Home you Visit

This does not mean that you should never buy the first home you visit, but it does mean that you should do some comparative shopping for your new home and the homes within that neighbourhood or strata building. This gives you the Buyer the re-assurance that the home of interest will be the right move for you and your family. Buyers who fall in love with the first home they see tend to pay more for the home than they might have if they had visited other potential homes. In addition, these buyers often suffer from buyer’s remorse, wondering whether they really purchased the best home.

Of course, some buyers are absolutely thrilled with their home; even if it was the only home they considered purchasing. Nevertheless, an educated consumer is a wise consumer, so take your time to investigate all the options available to you.

Learn the Ins and Outs of the Home-Buying Process

Carefully investigate every step of the home-buying process before beginning your search for a new home. Sometimes the two actions must happen simultaneously, but it is important to know what you will need to do in order to complete the purchase once you find the home of your dreams.

Review Your Debt To Income Ratios

This ratio represents your amount of monthly payments (bills) compared to your average monthly income. Debt-to-income ratio is one of the things mortgage lenders will look at when qualifying you for a loan. This can be handled through the Castro Marketing and Associates team at no cost to you. Most lenders will prefer your debt not to exceed 20% of your net monthly income. If your debt is more than 20% of your income, it’s time to pay down some of those bills. Or let our team ‘pre-package’ your approval in a different format. You’ll have a much easier time qualifying for a loan if you do.

Repair your credit score

If you review your credit report and find something that doesn’t seem right, go to the company’s website whom produced the report (TransUnion, Equifax or Experian) to submit a correction request. These companies are required by law to examine any reported errors on credit reports, and to correct them if necessary. But the process can take time, so you want to stay on top of it to resolve it quickly. Or allow one of our team associates assist you with this process.

Get Pre-Approved for your Mortgage

Pre-approval lets you lock in a low interest rate for a maximum up to 120 days at absolutely no cost or obligation to you as the buyer. A pre-approval in your pocket expresses to sellers that you are serious about buying a new home. Work with our Castro mortgage advisors or a lender as early as possible in the home-buying process.

Pre-approval also allows you to determine in advance what type of home you will be able to afford. This will keep you informed about your monthly expected costs and any other affiliated fees to be borne. Find a lender who is willing to discuss your individual situation and help you determine what mortgage amount is best for you. These conversations will help you determine whether or not a specific lender is right for you. Through our team we shop at all the lenders and share with you the options that appeal most to your situation. This is a FREE service and will save you time and the headache. Immediately you will get a feel for the level of customer service that you can expect throughout the sales transaction.

These suggestions hopefully will guide and help you begin thinking about the home-buying process and point you in the direction of various resources that you can use to learn about buying a home.

Following the suggestions provided above is a great way to stay excited and optimistic about buying your first home, because you will be less stressed about the process when you know what to expect.

If questions have arisen while you were reading the information provided here, your real estate agent can help to explain and clarify the steps mentioned above. Without a doubt, your agent will be able to add to the list, too.

Buying a home is stressful, but it should also be fun. Get educated and informed! Your realtor is always available to help in the process of finding and buying your new home. He or she has years of experience and expertise to draw from while providing you with valuable information that will make your life easier during the home-buying process.

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