Buying Tips
Buying a home is a significant and exciting decision. Here are some helpful tips that will make the process go smoothly.
Check your credit. A low credit score may hurt your chances for getting the best interest rate, or getting financing at all, so get a copy of your reports and know your credit scores. You can set up a free account at www.creditkarma.com to initially check and continuously monitor your scores for free. Errors are common. If you find any mistakes on your report, contact the agencies directly to correct them right away as this can take two or three months to resolve. If the report is accurate but shows past problems, be prepared to explain them to a loan officer.
Set your budget. How much house can you afford? Get an idea of your monthly payments with our online mortgage calculator: http://www.century21.com/calculators/mortgage. It’s a great idea to get pre-approved by a lender, especially during times when real estate is in high demand. Your lender will analyze your income, debt, and credit to recommend the best loan options for you. A pre-approval letter can make a difference in your favor when a seller has multiple offers to consider.
Make a list. How many bedrooms do you need? Is garage space important to you? Would a fireplace be nice? Make a list of the features you would like your new home to have, then categorize them as either “must haves” or “wants.” Taking the time to do this will help you prioritize your needs and will help me find the best property for you.
Call me! Real estate is my passion. I stay up to date on current market conditions and have access to the largest database of properties both on and off the market at all times. I browse houses on the market for fun in my spare time. I would love to help you find your perfect home!
