Getting ready to buy? Here’s what you need to know.

I often get asked when is the best time to buy, and I always answer with a resounding "NOW!"

Whether you're thinking of buying for your primary residence, a second mountain home, or an investment property, setting things in order is necessary because when the right property catches you eye, you will be less stressed when you decide to jump. 

Step one: Get preapproved. Find a lender to work with and work with them to come up with numbers. He or she will ask questions about your income, debt, and what you want your monthly payment to be. There is no worse feeling than falling in love with a home, only to find that you cannot afford the payments. 

Step two: Find a Realtor©. It's always best to have someone working alongside you to find and help negotiate the purchase of your home. Some realtors (like myself) will even pay the lease break fee if you happen to find your dream home in the middle of your lease! There's generally no fee to use a buyers agent, since they are almost always paid by the seller. Even if you are building a new home, it's always helpful to have an agent on your side fighting for you. 

Step three: Figure out what you want. How do you feel about having a master bedroom on the second floor? Do you need a yard for the dog or a basement for the teenagers? How do you feel about owning in a neighborhood with an HOA? Set up a realistic must have list. Depending on your budget, some wants and needs may need to change a bit. My father always says "you can't always have a champagne taste on a beer budget." Your real estate broker will also appreciate this. 

Step four: Go forth and buy! You can ask your agent to set up an automatic email whenever a new listing comes up with your criteria. This way you can be one of the first to view a property and submit an offer before the seller's deadline. 

For any other questions, please contact me. Need help getting ready to list your house before you buy? We've got ideas for that too!