A good agent is the best way to get a good deal when buying your first home. They will help you narrow down the many options that are available to you, and they can also help you find one that fits your budget as well. Unfortunately, many realtors just want to make money, and they will not put the homeowner first in their plans. Read on for ways to tell if a realtor is working for you, or show you an untargeted list of homes.
Most first-time home buyers will look at price first when shopping. This means that they will look at homes on their list that fall within their budget, without even checking out other houses on the list. This can be a problem, as the agent’s goal is to get you into your new home. Realtors who don’t show you other homes may not have your best interest in mind, so it’s important to check to see how many other agents the realtor has shown homes to.
Another sign of a less than ideal realtor is one who does not return phone calls or meet with you to discuss offers. If the agent is continually unavailable, this can be a red flag. Real home buyers expect to hear from their agent when a new home is available, so if they never receive a call or response, there may be something wrong. Realtors who do not return phone calls or meet with buyers are probably hiding something.
Another habit of first time home buyers is putting their options on the table too early. When a buyer is looking for a home, they are usually very excited. They may show up at six or seven in the morning, ready to walk away from the place they are staying. Realtors should remember that these people have only had this experience a few times, and they are typically not interested in hearing about numerous options for their new house.
Last but not least, some of the most common habits of first time home buyers include taking on more debt than necessary. When a person is buying their first home, they generally have some extra cash they plan to put toward their mortgage payment. However, this money needs to come out of their own pocket in order to make a down payment on the home. After all, the mortgage is secured by the home, so the lending institution cannot foreclose on the property over $100K unless the home buyer defaults.
When it comes to buying a home, people often underestimate the stress involved. It’s very common for a first-time buyer to be anxious about buying a home, but they should remember that this is something they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it’s also filled with feelings of anxiety and apprehension. First time home buyers should take their time. They should investigate all of their options and then narrow down their choices until they have found the home of their dreams. If the home buyer follows these general tips, then they should find their new home a stress-free experience.