First steps in the home buying process

This question comes up many times with first time homebuyers. Many first time homebuyers have an idea of where they would like to live, but they do not have an idea about the cost of a home. What I like to tell clients is to start doing some research online. In this day in age the internet provides a countless number of resources for the consumer to look at. You can find a number of Real Estate websites on line, and from these Real Estate Websites you should be able to find some sort of home search locator. A good home search locator will allow you to enter in your specific criteria, such as how many bedrooms you need, bathrooms you need, which neighborhood you like, etc. These home search locators will find homes that are currently on the market. This is a good way to start understanding the type of price the particular home you are looking for is. Another good home search locator should allow you to save specific searches so you can enter different criteria, without loosing your original criteria.

Once you have an idea about the price of the homes you are interested in, you need to know if you can afford your type of home. The next step is to meet with a mortgage lender and discuss with them the types of loans you can get, and the amount of money you would be eligible to borrow. From this you should get a clear idea of the type of home you can afford.

You may find that your originally desired area is out of your price range. Now what? Well there are two things you can do. One, which I recommend, is to contact a Realtor. You should let them know what type of home you are looking for and also let them you know what type of price range you are in. The Realtor can then work with you to let you know what types of homes in your desired neighborhoods are available in your price range. Also they can let you know about different neighborhoods that support the type of home you are looking for and that are in your price range. The second thing you can do is to continue to use the home search locator to explore different neighborhoods on your own. I do not recommend this unless you are familiar with those neighborhoods. You can spend a lot of time searching neighborhoods without finding one that supports your needs. Many Realtors work in all different types of neighborhoods and they may be able to turn you on to a different neighborhood, faster then you can find one.

Now that you know the type of home you are looking for and you found a neighborhood you want to be in (whether it was your originally desired neighborhood or a new neighborhood you found.) The next step in the process, since you followed my advice and are now working with a Realtor, is to go out and start visiting some of the homes you and your Realtor have found. This step allows you to see first hand the layout of a home, and all the features up close. It gives you a chance to speak with your Realtor about how the whole home buying process. It will also give you a good idea about the feel of a neighborhood (if you are not familiar with it.)

The next step would be to purchase your new home. This aspect of the home buying process is another set of steps. If you give me a call or e-mail me, I would be happy to go over it with you. :) I hope this was helpful, and if you have any questions about this or any other part of the home buying process, please feel free to call or e-mail.