The weather is getting warmer, you can see the trees and plants coming alive again ~ and so is the real estate market!  Lots of folks are starting to see another shift in the market as we turn to the warmer months.  If you are considering buying for the next school year or are simply waiting for the market to heat up, don’t sit idle, get busy!!

How To Prepare for a Home Purchase:

#1, Number One, Numero UNO – Call your lender.  Period.  Get the facts about your budget now, not when you find “the one”.  Don’t let required paper work, receipts, bank statements (and on and on) stand in the way of your dreams!!

#2, Call your Realtor, get a plan together.  Remember that in the world of information at your fingertips, clients have already stalked Zillow and every other site for properties (don’t worry, we know).  Your Realtor is your access to properties, your advocate and negotiator ~ your Real Estate Spirit Guide.

#3, Once you know your budget: get ready, be realistic!  Finding a home is not like what you see on HGTV.  There will always be some compromise.

#4, Negotiate to reach your ultimate goal ~ buy the house.  Not to win every little battle (though it is nice to get your way).  The market demands that we weigh all of our negotiations from the initial contract to the inspection/repair phase heavily on the bigger picture.  Not making major sacrifices, but very considerate compromise.

#5, Trust your Realtor, keep up with your deadlines and participate in the transaction!  Once you are under contract there are many deadlines, documents and actions you must stay on top of to get everything set to get that coveted “clear to close”.  A good Realtor will keep you on track!

The home buying process is fun, exciting, a wee bit stressful and…..Hard Work.  Be ready, be prepared for action ~ these steps will set you up for success!!