Are You a "Property Virgin"?
HGTV -- ever heard of it?! We are constantly amazed at how many of our clients mention "I saw this episode on HGTV and they said......". -- Clearly HGTV is hitting the mark with their programming!
Chances are if you're considering acquiring your first home, the HGTV program Property Virgins (with host Sandra Rinomato) might have caught your interest. Sandra assists people who are purchasing their first home -- which is something we too find very enjoyable! Trust me, there is noting like seeing our client's eyes light up when we tell them -- "congratulations! You got the house"!
If you are among the many HGTV viewers, you may be thinking -- yes, it's the right time for me too. But now what? Where do you start when you turn off the TV? I'm guessing that some of these questions come to mind. What do I do first? How do I pay for it? Where do I want to live? Can I afford that neighborhood? What are closing costs? Should I buy a new house? Do I make enough money? How long does it take to buy a house? How do I make an offer? There are so many questions!
Step One. Take a deep breath and relax! You don't have to know all of the answers. There are people out there who will help you. One of those is a great Real Estate Agent. They will guide you through the home buying process from beginning to end -- and guess what --this service doesn't cost you anything because the property seller pays the real estate fees -- so why not hire the best!
What's Step Two? Jump in the car and start driving around looking at homes? Get on the internet and browse homes for sale? Well, there isn't anything wrong with either of these options (except the price of gas!), but you're busy, so why not let someone else do the work for you? We recommend you find a great agent at the very beginning of the process. Someone who will take the time to get to know you and your unique circumstances, then offer solid advice and a step-by-step plan to home ownership. An agent who will listen closely to everything you say and help you through the entire process of finding the Perfect Place For You!
Are all Real Estate agents alike? Well, yes and no. Yes -- they can all write a Purchase Agreement. No -- not all are willing to invest the time needed to be a true consultant to their clients. A consultant isn't interested in just "making the sale", but rather building a business relationship with you by providing valuable information that will assist you in making an informed decision. They want you to feel confident that the home you're buying is the best fit for you and your family.
So seek an agent that you feel comfortable with, trust, and who you feel has your best interests in mind. Where do you look? How do you tell the difference? Check out their websites. Do they provide up to date valuable information, or is it all about them? Read their blogs. Are they knowledgeable? Do they know the neighborhood? Do they provide referrals from past clients? Next, contact them and make an appointment to get acquainted. If it feels right -- put them to work finding the perfect place for you!
Is there anything you can do right now? How about posting your #1 question? We're always interested in knowing what's on your mind. If you post your question as a comment below we'll answer it on-line so others can benefit too.
It really is a great time to buy your first home. Mortgage rates are low and property values are very attractive. Get out there and find your dream home! We're excited about the possibility of seeing your eyes light up when we say "congratulations, you got it!"