It’s a new year and perhaps this means shopping for a new home? If so, it is important to have a thorough plan in place along with a few key things. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned real estate investor, being properly prepared can not be overstated. Below we share some key things you will need when buying a home.
A team approach
Build your credit score: A credit score is a three-digit number that lenders use to determine your riskiness as a borrower. Before considering a home purchase, it is important that you focus on building up your credit over time. The reason for this is that a higher credit score will make you more likely to obtain a loan approval. In addition, a higher credit score will result in more favorable terms for your loan. If you are unsure of your credit score, you may obtain a free credit report here.
Hire a local and knowledgeable real estate agent: Before embarking on a home search, your first step should be to hire the right real estate agent. A good real estate agent will not only be able to guide you through the entire home search and buying process, but he/she will also be able to provide critical local knowledge that you likely would not have known otherwise. As a reminder, a home purchase is typically the single greatest investment for most Americans. If you are in the South Florida area, feel to contact the Live South Florida Realty, Inc. team!
Work with a reputable mortgage broker: In order to begin your home search, you will need to determine what price range you should stick in. The best way to do this is by consulting with a mortgage broker that will request various financial documents and history from you. Furthermore, you will want to obtain a “pre-approval” as opposed to a “pre-qualification” from your mortgage broker. The reason for this is that a pre-approval is a more rigorous analysis of your financial well-being and will demonstrate to sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer. For more on this topic, check out this article. Of course, if you are a cash buyer and are not obtaining financing for the purchase, then you can skip this step.
Hire a reputable real estate attorney: A home purchase is likely the biggest financial decision in your lifetime. With this said, you can never be too safe in your approach. A good real estate attorney will be able to review various paperwork to ensure that everything is in order. In addition, there will likely be some legal jargon that he/she will be better able to explain to you. It is important to remember that a real estate transaction can go south quickly, so it is always advisable to have legal representation.
Summary
Known as “The American Dream”, there are few things in life as exciting as home ownership. Of course as with anything, to do this effectively it is important that you have a well thought-out plan in place. This begins by building the right team to achieve success. If you are in the South Florida area, contact our team at Live South Florida Realty, Inc. today! Also be sure to download the free Florida Home Search app for your smartphone or tablet as well.
