Tips for New Home Buyers

Why You Should Use a Realtor for your Next House Hunt

New Homebuyers - You're not alone! New home buyers are constantly coming up with new questions and concerns. 

New homeowners, in general, have a lot of questions about the process because it's so different from renting. New home buyers also have many concerns that need to be addressed before they sign on the dotted line and take on their mortgage loan responsibility for 30-years or more. This article will cover some tips that anyone looking to buy their first house should consider as they begin this exciting journey.

1. First-Time Homebuyers MUST get Pre-Approved: Before you even start looking for homes, get pre-approved by your lender.
1. Just like applying for a car loan would make you ineligible to purchase one, pre-approval only means that you're ready to buy when the right home comes along.
2. Know Where To Look For Homes: New home buyers should start looking in neighborhoods where they want to live, even if they are not yet completely sure of their budget and all of the other details involved with this large purchase.
1. Start getting to know various ZIP codes in your area by checking out open houses and new developments.
2. New home buyers can also speak with local Realtors for advice on their target areas based on what the buyer values most about a neighborhood (e.g., great school district or easy access to shops/restaurants). Local knowledge is extremely valuable!
3. Use A Licensed Agent: New home buyers are not the only ones who have questions. New Realtors also need to ask new agents some basic questions before hiring them as their partners in real estate.
1. New home buyers can find out if their agent is licensed by searching for them on the Minnesota Real Estate Commission's website. From there, you can verify whether or not a specific Agent has any complaints filed against them from consumers (or other agencies).
2. A new home buyer’s should also confirm that an agent is current with their continuing education requirements and that they have passed any necessary exams to be able to legally sell properties when working with a new home buyer.
3. New homeowners shouldn't just pick an agent based upon who showed up at their door first, especially if it is a friend or relative.
4. New home buyers should work with an agent who has experience selling properties in the area they are looking to buy a home and is able to match these neighborhoods up with what their financial ability, wants and needs are.
4. Pick The Agent That’s Right For You: New home buyers should always feel comfortable asking about an agent's specific years of experience, educational background (including the number of hours logged on each part of the exam), and whether or not they have real-world knowledge that may complement any gaps found in one's education/experience.
1. New homeowners will be relying upon this professional relationship for many months leading up to the close of escrow so it's important that everyone involved feels both comfortable and confident with their choice.
2. New home buyers should also ask for references to speak with other recent clients. New home buyers will want to know from past clients what they liked best about the agent, how prompt they are in responding to phone calls or emails, and if the organization made things easy on them (including supplying any paperwork that was necessary and renting a moving truck).
3. Lastly, new homeowners usually have tons of questions so it's important that they feel good about the person answering those questions!

With good planning and some helpful advice from local agents, new home buyers can enjoy their journey toward homeownership even more than they ever imagined!