First Time Home Buyers (The Basics)
Here are some of the important things to remember when deciding to buy a home.
1. Get Pre-Approved for a mortgage. This will enable you to know how much you can spend on your home purchase. Know what you need your monthly payment to be BEFORE you fall in love with a home that is just not in the budget.
2. Make a list of Wants Vs. Needs: As you make your list, you will gain a better understanding for what is truly important to you. What is most important to you: School District, price, number of bedrooms, etc. What items are absolute MUSTs and what items can you live without.
3. Find yourself a Realtor: You should find yourself someone to represent you and not the seller. Every home buyer should have their own real estate agent. Find someone that you can trust and work closely with. You will be working with this person for several months at minimum, so make sure that you understand eachother. Certified Buyers Agents (CBR) and Accredited Buyers Agents (ABR) have been trained to reperesent you as a buyer.
4. Get a real estate attorney: You should have someone in mind and maybe even speak to him or her and let them know you are beginning your search. You will need an attorney when it comes time to go to contract.
5. Research for Home inspector: Get some ideas on who you might use for your home inspection. You will want to have this person ready as you will need to move quickly once you have an accepted offer on a property.
6. Search for a home with your Realtor
7. Make an offer on a property
Once you have an accepted offer, you will have your home inspection and then go to contract.
Gina Lollo, Lic NYS Sales Agent
Certified Buyers Agent
Gladstone Group
(631) 335-7078
