5 things Plano home buyers should do before they start looking at homes
5 things Plano home buyers should do before they start looking at homes.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage. See us and we’ll run the numbers to tell you the mortgage size and terms you qualify for to purchase your Plano home. This gives you the price range of homes to look at in Plano and makes you more attractive to sellers. I will even call the listing agent of the Plano home you want to buy and share with them your complete pre-qualified status. Most Plano Realtors would prefer to work with a local and direct lender that they know and trust. Check out my 5 Star reviews here.
Pay attention to finances. Decide how much you have for a down payment and what you can afford monthly for mortgage, taxes, insurance and other homeowner costs. Delay any major purchases and loans. Part of my prequalification process to put together an extensive purchase program analysis. I will give you 3 to 4 options to choose from and you can select one that you like the best. These custom analysis give you all the information you need to make it clearly informed decision. I even have down payment assistance programs available for first-time homebuyers with little or no money to use for their down payment and closing cost.
Decide on location. The old joke goes, in real estate the three most important factors are location, location and location. Pick the area you want to live based on your needs, such as schools, distance to work, family, shopping and entertainment. You might want to even try test drives during the morning commute to see how long it would take you to get to work. Underestimating your commute time can result in a lower level of satisfaction with your home location choice.
Make three lists. 1) Have-to-haves. 2) Like-to-haves. 3) Deal breakers. Expect these lists to be revised, given the realities of your budget and where you want to live.
Hire a good buyer’s agent. This real estate professional helps you find, select and negotiate your purchase. The seller pays the fee, but you usually agree to work with a buyer’s agent for a period of time, so choose wisely. Find someone with people skills and knowledge of your target location. It’s fine to check online, but the best referrals come from acquaintances, relatives and co-workers. Always ask for references. If you need assistance in finding a Realtor familiar with your area, I work with many of the top Plano real estate agents. I can connect to with perfect Realtor.
When you’re ready to join the ranks of home buyers, or to refinance for a lower rate or to fund improvements, text, email or call us… Have a great day!
P.S.: Mortgage rates are still very low, so don’t wait to contact us about today’s excellent options.