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The Real Deal
First-time purchase of home starts with agent
By Ceci Ellis
A few years ago I bought my first car. As a Realtor, I thought nothing of the mounds of paperwork involved in the purchase of a home, but as the car salesman tried to explain the paperwork to me, my eyes glazed over the same way I've noticed in some of my first-time homebuyers when we sit down to write an offer.
Buying a home can be a daunting experience. Being prepared and having a Realtor to guide you through the process will make it much easier.
The first thing you should do before house hunting is to find a mortgage and be pre-approved for a home loan. A good lender will be able to tell you how much you can afford to spend on a home. Be sure to ask about other fees, such as loan costs, closing costs and association dues if you are buying a condo or town home.
Once you know how much you are going to spend on your home, find a good Realtor who can help you to select the right property. Referrals from friends and chatting with agents at open houses are good ways to meet agents.
A good agent will not only be knowledgeable about the process, but also willing to take the time to explain it to you, listen to your needs and answer questions without making you feel rushed. Good agents also are diligent in looking for properties and conveying information on new listings to you as soon as they come on the market. The sooner you see a suitable property, the more time you have to evaluate the property and decide whether or not you want to make an offer.
Patience is also important in an agent, along with a broad knowledge of several areas and a willingness to expand your search to other areas that fit your needs. Since all agents have access to the same multiple listing services, it isn't necessary to work with an agent who "specializes" in a particular area.
Have your agent take you out and show you several properties in your price range. Share your thoughts on each of them with the agent so he or she can get a better idea about which features appeal to you.
When you find a property on which you want to make an offer, go see it more than once and drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day and evening. Location may well be the most important feature of any home. You may change other things about your new home by rebuilding and remodeling, but one thing you can't change is the location.
Most important, first-time buyers should take their time and look at different areas and homes. If you miss out on a house, there will always be another, perhaps better, home around the next corner. Your Realtor can help you through the process to make your first-time home-buying experience not only enjoyable, but successful.
A Realtor with Taylor Properties in Palo Alto, Ceci Ellis specializes in first-time homebuyers and is also a designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
