First Time Home Buyer Tips

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

• Tip #1: Get PreQualified
  Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer. 
• Tip #2: Look for Value
  When shopping for homes, it’s important to consider potential value. Even if you’re not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it’s a good idea to consider the future value of the home.  You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it’s an important investment that requires caution.  Your realtor should help you have confidence that you are getting good value from your purchase. 
• Tip #3: Decide What You’re Looking For
  Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn’t really fit your needs. My website, www.ChrisSmithHomes, has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you’re looking for. 
• Tip #4: Relax
  You don’t have to make an offer on the first home you see. A thourough realtor will show you a variety of listings in the area you are interested in to help you get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, your agent should help you to have confidence that you are making a good decision and skillfully guide you through the process.
• Tip #5: Shop Around for Your Mortgage
  Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is shopping around for a lender that will provide you with the most competitive rates.  He or she can help you decide what kind of loan best fits your needs: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). 
• Tip #6: Protect Yourself
• Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you’re getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website www.ChrisSmithHomes,com or by giving me a call on my direct cell phone at (504) 231-2004, or by email: realtorchrissmith@gmail.com. I’m confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.