Share:

Preparing to buy a house can be overwhelming. Between a competitive market, laborious background checks, and a challenging negotiation process, it can be easy to feel like you’re in over your head. To alleviate the stress that often comes along with the home search, Herron Realty has provided a helpful guide to prepare you for buying your first home.

What to Do Before You Buy a House

Figure Out Your Budget

buy a houseAlthough it can be tempting to fall in love with the first home you see in a real estate listing, you don’t want to waste time fantasizing about properties that are out of your price range. Instead, sit down and crunch some numbers so that you’ll know what you can realistically afford. Consider mortgage payments, monthly fees, and your credit standing. Since your credit score is what a mortgage lender will use to determine your creditworthiness, obtain your report before you start the home search. Once you set a realistic budget, you can narrow down what properties and locations are feasible.

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

An often-overlooked step in the home buying process, a mortgage pre-approval is essential to have for a seller to take you seriously. A pre-approval will lay out exactly what a lender has agreed to provide you, demonstrating to the seller that you’re serious about making a purchase. Shop around so that you can find a mortgage rate that gives you the most flexibility.

Select a Real Estate Agent

Between a competitive market and a challenging negotiation process, your Realtor® will help you navigate through the, often challenging, home search. To find a trusted Realtor, start by reaching out to family and friends for referrals or do your research to find the top-rated Realtors in the area.

Don’t assume your home search has to be an overwhelming process. If you’re ready to buy a house, put your trust in Herron Realty in Old Forge, NY. As members of the Adirondack Champlain Valley MLS, they specialize in everything from residential to commercial real estate, providing expert care for clients across the Central Adirondack region of upstate New York. To get your home search started today, call (315) 369-6910 or visit their website for more information.

tracking