Are you ready to buy a home? Not just financially, but prepared to make major decisions quickly? To go through periods of waiting and uncertainty? As with many things in life, you won't really know how much is involved in something until you've been through it. And unless you go through it often, it's easy to be thrown for a loop when unexpected circumstances arise.
Most first-time buyers recognize that they are not familiar with all the ins and outs of a home purchase, and welcome any guidance. I've helped many clients by providing a written overview of the process, along with discussions of strategy, what-if scenarios, and answering plenty of questions which crop up along the way.
Many home buyers already have some experience with the process, having gone through it when purchasing their current home, but may not realize how much has changed in the intervening years. A refresher is often helpful, and there still may be many questions.
Yet other buyers have...
If "BUY A HOUSE!" tops your list of New Year's resolutions, then you are probably aware of the fierce competition facing buyers today. Are you prepared to do what it takes to stick to that resolution? Here are 7 Dos and Don'ts to help you reach your goal.
- DO know your buying power. This starts by having an in-depth conversation with a lender to obtain your pre-approval. They should be aware of not only your current financial status, but also your history. The more they know, the better they can help you, so choosing the right person to work with is extremely important.
- DON'T buy anything major until after the keys are in your hand. The underwriters will watch for changes to your account bala...