Sam in Reverse

If you're ready to hit the home buying market, you need a good real estate agent. How can you sift through the many choices and find the right real estate agent for you? Here are a few things to look for as you make your choice. Licensing and Credentials Check with your state's real estate regulatory board when you research specific real estate agents. You can learn about licensing and any disciplinary issues that may have occurred. Ask the real estate agent you are considering about any credentials or extra training they have undertaken. The more they know about their job and the market means more knowledge and experience available to you. Recommendations from Past Clients

The answer is a resounding YES. Think of it this way. You never head out to the mall or any sort of department store without your wallet or debit card. You know exactly what's in your bank account, how much you have budgeted to spend, and what type of deals you're looking for. The same should go for the home buying process. Without having a mortgage pre-approval in your hand first, you really have no idea how much home you can afford to buy. And that in itself is a two-part problem, because the amount of your pre-approval may not necessarily be the amount you can actually afford in your budget at the end of every day.

FEMA Home Inspection, Wikimedia Commons You’ve found your dream home and you’re ready to place a bid. Your bid will, or should be, contingent on the results of a home inspect. The home inspection will identify any problems so that you can work with the seller to determine how (or if) they can be resolved.  Truth? You won’t find a home that doesn’t have some sort of problem – old or new. The question is whether or not the problems outweigh the benefits (financially and otherwise) of purchasing the home. Hire an Inspector No matter what – No. Matter. What. – remember that you are not a home inspector. You might be, actually, but when it comes to the home you want to buy, you are not. Get it? You need a third-party to evaluate the property objectively.

As a first-time home buyers, you’re likely overwhelmed with the amount of information available to you. There are several different loan options, pros and cons for each, and a myriad of other financial considerations to keep in mind. This week we’ve done our best to curate a collection of articles designed to help you gain a better understanding of the market. At the very least, you’ll be able to approach your potential lender with a list of realistic questions. So what have we found?