Buyers

Your Agent

A successful purchase starts with the right representative. In fact, once you’ve selected the best agent to represent you, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders.

Lender 

A bank is not just a bank. Having the right backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and typically will make arrangements for the appraisal themselves.

Attorney

Your home purchase is far too important a transaction to skimp on legal representation at the risk of leaving yourself open to costly future issues. Find a lawyer who is willing to take the time to answer your questions and who specializes in real estate law.

Home Inspector 

No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your agent for a recommendation.

1.  Find the right representative:

Even if you’re not quite  ready to buy, your buyer’s agent can be an absolute wealth of  information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments you  might not have know about otherwise.  Speak to your agent first and he  or she can be helping to guide you right from the start. 

 2.  Find out what your price range is
Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start,  but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a  written mortgage pre-approval.  Just speaking to your lender is an  extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an  in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover  exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly  on renovating). 

 3.  Find out what your local market looks like
The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research.  Start with your agent – he or she  can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing  you real estate listings that may interest you (or at least give you a  better idea of what your needs and wants are). 

4.  Find out what your true needs and wants are
Compose  a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market  conditions, your price range, and the advice of your real estate agent.

5.  Find your dream home!
Once you’re ready to act, you may be  surprised by how quickly you can make a decision.  Armed with your  pre-approval, a little market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, call  your real estate agent, hit the pavement, and when you see ‘the house’,  put in an offer. 

With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!