Things to do Before Buying a Home

HOME BUYING 101

What is an escrow? What are home sale “contingencies”? How do inspections work? Watch to find out!

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Fix your credit

That gym membership you ordered never used and forgot to pay for? Yeah, it’s probably in collections now. (This happened to me.) But don’t stress. Credit “blemishes” are a common occurrence and they can be forgotten and forgiven with a few phone calls. First start by figuring out what exactly is on your credit report by ordering a free one online. Then call the creditors with claims on your report to settle the disputes. Then watch your credit score soar into its happy place.

Get pre-approved

House shopping is pretty fun but window shopping really isn’t, so before you spend hours on Zillow looking lovingly at photos of $5 million homes you can’t afford, find a good mortgage broker or bank who can run the numbers and tell you how much house you can afford. If you need a referral, we can pass along a few names.

Consider all costs (and save for them)

The mortgage is only one part of the equation. You also need money for closing costs, inspections and repairs, in addition to the down payment. Make a realistic budget and plan for surprises.

Pack light

Give yourself a head start on your move by minimizing your current belongings by donating, trashing, selling or giving away the items you don’t want cluttering up your new space. Start packing the things you can live without for a couple months now. You’ll thank yourself later with a lower-stress move.

Make a list

Two lists, actually. One with the have-to-have features of your future home and another with the nice-to-have items. Be honest and realistic. Do you really need a 3-car garage or that 3rd bathroom? Keep the have-to-have list to less than five items.

Understand the process

It can be hard to learn the rules as you play the game, so it’s a good idea to read up on what constitutes an escrow ahead of time. Understand the types of inspections that you can order. Research the neighborhoods you are interested in. Have your questions ready. We can go over them together.

Call Us

There are many more things to consider before buying a home and real estate transactions can become complicated fast. They can also become stressful, which is why you need a dedicated Realtor® on your side to minimize the stress and make the house hunting experience fun. We will also negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the best price possible.