Fun Fact: Buying your first home (affordably) is within your reach

Navigating the home-buying process in the current landscape is tricky --especially when the market is going through a correction period. But there are things you can do to help you get the home of your dreams at a price you can afford. 

Here are some ways you can prepare for a successful home shopping experience!

Get pre-approved for a home loan. 

Buyers who are well-prepared, organized, and ready to move in are better positioned to get the house of their dreams. 

That means you'll need to determine pretty early on if any issues with your credit can negatively impact your credit score. The best way to know what's going on with your credit is to work with a mortgage professional who can do a "soft pull" to get an idea of credit health.

After that, it's time to get your pre-approval letter! A pre-approval letter is typically good for 90 days and indicates to sellers that you're a motivated, credit-worthy buyer who can act fast. 

Use tech to stay a step ahead!

It's common for a home to receive multiple offers before the first open house. So if you're already exploring homes online and have found one that you're interested in, you must move fast. Make the most use of instant messaging with your agent and mortgage professional, video home tours, and on-demand pre-approval letters.

Work with an experienced local agent and mortgage professional.

An experienced professional who understands the local market may mean the difference between getting your offer accepted fast or spending months unsuccessfully sending offers. 

The great thing about working with an agent and mortgage professional is that they look after your best interests through the closing.

Know your bottom line — and know where to negotiate.

Staying within budget can be a test of will, especially if you haven't gotten pre-approved and are unsure how much home you can actually afford. 

To avoid paying too much for a house, talk with a mortgage professional and review your must-have list to identify what's non-negotiable and where you can be flexible. You can also factor in any home improvement needs.

Need more personalized guidance? Let's talk! We'd love to help.