First-time Homebuyers Dos and Don'ts

A “DO AND DON’T” LIST

FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

(Orlando, FL) – For most people, buying a home is the most significant investment they will ever make. Today, with an abundance of homes for sale, interest rates at near historic lows and home prices lower than in the past in many markets across the country, it may also be the smartest time to buy a home. 

While the prospect of owning a home is an exciting one, it can often times seem overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the real estate process.   With that in mind, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate has come up with a simple “do and don’t” list for first-time home buyers dreaming of homeownership.

DO:

• DO utilize free online tools to arm you with as much knowledge as possible.  For example, the Coldwell Banker YouTube channel, On Location, offers consumers a new way to search for and interact with real estate information and listings.  The channel showcases the power of video to bring real estate more vividly to life – offering behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, smart tips and timely news on real estate topics, and video listings of homes for sale.  Additionally, the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report offers buyers a way to compare average housing costs in thousands of U.S. and Canadian markets. 

• DO take time to access and closely review your credit score.  A sound financial track record and solid credit score can help lock in a loan and lower interest rates.  Checking your records with a fine-tooth comb in advance will also ensure that you catch any errors ahead of time, as well as help you better understand how lenders may perceive you.

• DO explore mortgage pre-approval.  A pre-approval will let home buyers know where they fall financially while informing the mortgage company that they are ready to buy. Additionally, getting this early go-ahead will help others involved with your purchase know that you are serious about home ownership – and well-qualified.

• DO line up your “all-star” team of professionals before game day.  A team of experienced professionals is essential to making the home buying process simple and seamless.  Start by interviewing and selecting an agent who you “connect” with.  That agent may also be able to help you identify suitable lawyers, mortgage lenders, home inspectors and others who play a role in the process.
  
  
• DO anticipate your future needs and buy for lifestyle.  Try to anticipate how long you’ll live in your next home and plan for major lifestyle changes when possible.  What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.  Remember, people move for lifestyle reasons and your first home will likely not be your last.

• DO hone in on your housing priorities.  Your ideal home may have a porch, a pool and five full baths.  But before you start looking, make sure to separate your “must-haves” from your “nice to haves,” so you know where you can compromise to meet your budget.

DON’T:

• DON’T fall in love with the first house or neighborhood you see.  That Victorian home with the white-picket fence may win your heart at first glance, but don’t fall in love too fast.  You need to keep an open mind to make sure you find the right fit for all your needs.  At the end of your search, it may turn out that the riverfront ranch that’s closer for your commute is a better bet all-around.

• DON’T buy beyond what you can afford.  It’s easy to fall into that all-you-can-eat attitude when it comes to your first home purchase.  You “want it all” when it comes to size, amenities, location, etc.  But remember that your eyes may have a larger appetite than your wallet.  Make sure that the down payment, closing costs, monthly expenses and taxes are truly within your income and savings range before you sign on the dotted line. 

• DON’T treat your home the way you treat your stock portfolio.  It’s unrealistic and unwise to expect your housing investment to appreciate as quickly as you’d hope for your high-risk bonds.  Buying for lifestyle, as opposed to trying to turn a quick profit, will help ensure that you are viewing home purchasing and ownership in the right context.

• DON’T try to time the market.  By the time most consumers sense a major real estate or financial market shift, the tables have typically already turned.  Instead of waiting for a slim and unreliable window of time – and potentially missing out on the perfect home – buyers should focus on their own lifestyles and buy when the time is truly right for them.

• DON’T jump into an overly tempting or confusing mortgage.  When it comes to down payments and mortgages, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Be sure to read carefully through every aspect of the proposed agreements to fully understand your end of the bargain.  For instance, what seems like an attractive rate now may balloon exponentially a few years down the road.  

• DON’T underestimate the value of a trustworthy real estate agent’s on-the-ground expertise.  While being a savvy buyer and doing one’s homework will help on the road to homeownership, a local expert with years of negotiating experience is invaluable when it comes to scouting out the perfect home – and closing the deal.

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate located at 5965 Red Bug Lake Rd. Winter Springs, FL. Marilyn Laboy can be reached at 407.230.1710 or Marilyn.laboy.cbintouch.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.  Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.