Buying your first home? Use these tips to ensure a smooth process!

Buying your first home is exciting and being prepared will help make the process enjoyable. Check out these tips below to help you get prepared.

Experience Is The Key To Your New Home
An experienced REALTOR will make buying your first home enjoyable. You want an agent that will not only find you your perfect home, but will also take the time to educate you on the process and let you know what you can expect. When choosing your real estate agent, ask for referrals of other first time home buyers they have worked with. A good testimonial will help reassure you that you chose the right agent for the job.

Off To The Bank We Go
Getting pre-approved for a loan should be the first thing you do after choosing your real estate agent. You want to make sure you are looking within your price range before you fall in love with a home that you can’t afford. Creating a budget will help you find a home that will match your finance. Your home budget should include your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.

Ready, Set, Go
These days over 80% of people start their home search online. Websites such as zillow.com and point2agent.com will not only let you view pricing, virtual tours, and detailed information but will also let you view the profile of the agent you are working with.

Wishes Do Come True
Create a “wish list” of what you can’t live without in your first home. Include your budget in this list and the highest you will pay and stick to it. You don’t want to get caught up falling in love with a home that you cannot afford.

Beggers Can’t Be Choosers
Yes, they can! When looking for your first home, don’t rush into the first home you see, trust your intuition and start looking! When you find the perfect home for you, don’t wait, make a move or you may end up missing out.

The Search Is On
Once you begin looking for your first home, try not to view too many in one day otherwise by the time you get home they will all blend together in your memory! Taking notes will help you make the right decision and give you something to refer back to after the viewing is complete. Here are a few tips:

• Bring a digital camera and take photos of each property
• Rate the home immediately after leaving
• Note distinctive features, positive and negative
• Jot down your opinion on the homes surrounding’s and the neighborhood

Expect The Unexpected
Don’t forget to plan for unexpected costs such as new appliances, water damage, roof repairs, etc. You want to make sure you can cover the full cost of home ownership now that you are technically your own landlord.

The Present Is Your Home, But What About The Future?
Because this is your first home, it will probably not be your last! Planning for the future will help make your choice on which home to purchase now. Consider room for family growth, job security, resale value, and surrounding amenities.

Congratulations on making the decision to purchase your first home! If you need any assistance or have any questions at all I have over 20 years of experience here in Marquette and would love to help you find the perfect home. You can contact me at Select Realty at (906) 360-0327, on my website at www.karennygard.com, or on Facebook at Karen for you at Select Realty.

You may also contact Karen’s Real Estate Assistant, Valerie Sue Peterson at (906)236-4374