Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you.
When looking for a home, be sure to reference the things that are most important to you; short term vs long term stay, financial comfort, features, wants vs needs etc. All these things should be discussed with your realtor.
Take a Drive.
Get to know the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions, which interest you. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.
Narrow Your Search.
Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long term resale value of the properties you are considering.
Time to Buy.
Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property. An agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you the advantage over another offer.
Going under contract on a home with a pre-qualification letter (If the seller accepts it) is a much riskier stance. Any due diligence or earnest money offered would be at a greater risk if the borrower hasn’t been preapproved, simply because the borrower hasn’t been deemed qualified via the lender verifications and underwriters, which will normally result in a “Approve/Eligible” pre-underwritten profile status. Some sellers and Listing Agents will even go a step further to vet out qualified borrowers who have submitted offers by requesting the “Approve Eligible” confirmation before accepting the borrower’s offer and Pre-approval.
Feel free to download the free Homebuyer guide for a glimpse of what the process looks like and the perspective I’m able to offer.