It’s that time of year again! It’s home-buying season, and that could mean you’ll be busy house hunting, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Here are a few helpful tips to make the search a little easier:
It’s better together
Don’t pick up the phone and call the first Open House you see. Not only could it be unsafe, but the house you’re viewing might not be what you’re looking for. Instead of trial and error, hire a realtor. Tell them exactly what’s on your wishlist. They’ll set up all your viewing appointments, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. This way, you’ll be looking only at houses that match your criteria, and you won’t be wasting your time. The realtor also gets paid by the seller when you take the home, which means you don’t have to pay them directly.
Speak your mind
Save the trash talk for after the viewing but be sure to voice your opinion. Don’t be afraid to tell your realtor how you feel. You won’t offend them if you don’t like a certain house. It’s their job to find you the perfect dwelling. If you don’t like something, let them know so you don’t end up seeing more of the same.
Take your time
House hunting is a long, tedious process. It’s not something you want to breeze through. If you can, avoid scheduling any activities for two hours after a showing. You don’t want to feel rushed into anything. Take your time and be thorough. Don’t be afraid to get in there and open cupboards, cabinets, drawers, and closets. Get familiar with the place. You’re not snooping, don’t worry. You’re there to gather information, but you can’t do that without taking a look.
Viewings can take several hours; take advantage of the time you’re given. If you end up liking a place, you’ll spend more time there. If you end up really liking a place, you might
want to place an offer immediately. This will add even more time to your stay. Make a day of it and take your time.
Apply for your mortgage pre-approval
A mortgage pre-approval confirms the amount you qualify to borrow and protects you from rate increases for up to 120 days. Mortgage pre-approvals from your bank aren’t a guarantee. Talk to an experienced broker instead. At MortgagesMadeEasy.com, mortgages are all we do. It’s what we’re good at. Take a look at our Guide to Easy Mortgage Approval to get an idea of the paperwork you need for your mortgage pre-approval.
When you’re ready to apply for your mortgage pre-approval, use our secure online form. We’ll get back to you on the same day with the best mortgage in the market for your situation.
Questions? Let’s talk. We can walk you through the process and explain everything you need to know to buy your dream home. Call us at 613-563-3447 or use our contact form.
