Buying a home will probably be one of the biggest personal investments you'll ever make. Being organized and in control of the situation will contribute significantly to getting the best deal possible with the least amount of stress. It's important to anticipate the steps required to achieve your goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there. Your realtor can help you do that.
First, ask yourself how much you can afford to pay for a home. Find a lender and get pre-approved. Ask for referrals – your realtor has worked with several lenders and should be able to offer suggestions for you to contact and interview. Pre-approval will let you know how much you can afford so that you can look for homes in your price range and act quickly when you find the one you want. Getting pre-approved relieves some of the anxieties that always come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration and disappointment of seeing the perfect home and then finding that it's not in your price range.
Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what type of home will best suit you and/or your family. In terms of location think of such things as:
Convenience to work, shopping, or schools
Quality of schools
Public transportation
Recreational facilities
Neighborhood safety
General desirability
In terms of the home itself, consider:
Number, size and types of rooms needed
Condition of the home and maintenance needs
Size of yard and privacy issues
Think hard about which of these factors are most important to you. As much as we'd all like to find that "dream home," most home purchases end up requiring compromise. If you've thought out your priorities in advance, you'll be in a much better position to make a decision that you're happy with next year and the year after. |
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| Lisa C. Mattise |
Mobile
434-981-0354 |
Fax Number
1-866-986-2426 |
Office Number
434-220-9295 |
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