Buying Your First Home – Part 1 of 2
Buying your first home is an exciting time in your life. It is one of the largest investments you will ever make. There are many crucial steps a home buyer must first take before they can make the move into their home. Although the experience can seem like a long and daunting task, it can be an easy one when you hire the right Realtor to walk you through the process. Ruth Edwards, 2019 President of the Citrus County Realtors Association and Coldwell Banker Next Generation Realtor, explains what to expect when purchasing your first home.
You are a first-time home buyer, here is what you might want to do and what to expect when buying your first home.
- Find a local Realtor®. Using a local Realtor® gives you a person that is knowledgeable and capable of being an advocate for you, the homebuyer. The agents at Coldwell Banker Next Generation Realty are ready, willing and able to help you !
- A Realtor® can guide you to a mortgage broker who will help determine what you can afford.
- If you are a first-time homebuyer, a Realtor® can point you in the direction of programs for first-time homebuyers.
- These programs may help you create a timeline for buying a home. If you set a goal of buying a home in a year, create a budget and stick to it. The more that you can put away in savings the better you’ll be financially when the time to buy comes around.
Start saving for your home.
- Determine how much you need to save. Be realistic. Consider the monthly costs for repairs, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.
- You will need funds for home inspections, down payment, appraisal, survey and closing costs.
Evaluate your finances before buying your first home.
- Check your credit. As mortgage originators scrutinize your finances, you will also need to scrutinize your finances. The more debt you have, the more difficult it is to obtain a mortgage. Pay off credit cards and loans. Pay down student loans and auto loans. Reduce your debt-to income ratio. Don’t make large purchases during this period.
- Set up a home buying account. Have a portion of each paycheck automatically deposited to this account. You’ll find how quickly this account will grow.
- Look for alternative ways to save faster. This might mean cutting back on extravagances, like going out to dinner frequently, or fancy vacations. It might even mean taking on a second job.
Once you have achieved these goals, the fun begins, looking for your dream home.
- Your Realtor® and you will search for properties that meet your desires.
- You will visit numerous homes.
- There will be some homes that don’t meet your expectations and there will be some homes that you may want to revisit several times.
Time for Negotiations
- Once you have found your home, your Realtor® will prepare all the paperwork necessary to submit your offer to the seller’s agent.
- Your Realtor® will keep you updated during the time after your offer is submitted and when you hear a response to your offer
- Don’t get discouraged. Remember, your Realtor® is working with you and for you.
- Your Realtor® will advise and guide you through negotiations to achieve the best possible price for you.
Buying Your First Home – Click Here for Part 2
About the Author:
Ruth Edwards, serves as the 2019 President of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County. Additionally, she is an active Realtor with Coldwell Banker Next Generation Realty. Contact Ruth for assistance in buying your first home or any other real estate needs. She can be reached by email: ruthedwardsrealtor@outlook.com or by phone at (352) 586-0115.
Make the Move to Citrus County
Click here for all Citrus County Real Estate listings.
When you’re ready to build, contact the trusted professionals of Edward Russell Johnston Inc. Over 42 years of experience building beautiful homes in Sugarmill Woods and across the Nature Coast. Call (352) 795-2200.
