If you’re gearing up to buy your first home, then congratulations! Buying a home—especially your first one—is an exciting step, but the process can be pretty intimidating.
Feeling a bit of first-time buyers’ stress? Here’s everything you need to know to help your buying process go smoothly!
Figure out Your Finances
Knowing your budget is one of the most important parts of buying. Not only do you need to know what limits to set for your search, but you also need to figure out which mortgage options—whether it’s fixed-rate, adjustable, or FHA—are best for you and what your payments might look like. If you want to get a good idea of what you can afford, be sure to get pre-approved. In fact, many sellers won’t even accept an offer unless the buyer is pre-approved!
If you need a little help figuring out the pre-approval process, I’m here to help. I can recommend some of the top lenders in the area and help you figure out which documents you’ll need to bring along.
Explore the Neighborhoods
Finding the right neighborhood is just as important as finding the right home. Think about things like your work commute, what sort of places you want to live near, school districts, etc. If you’re happy with your home but not what your neighborhood has to offer, you may, unfortunately, not want to live there for long!
Luckily, I’m happy to offer a number of in-depth area guides on the neighborhoods around the Main Line. From towns like Bryn Mawr and Radnor to neighborhoods like Conshohocken and Narberth, I can provide you with information on everything from your commute to work to the best restaurants near you.
Narrow Down Your Options
Once you’ve narrowed down your neighborhood options, the fun can begin: the home search! Once you start scheduling showings, you’ll want to see what sort of options you have. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are you hoping for? What sort of features do you want? What sort of features do you need? Think about what’s most important to you, then use my specialized home search tool to find a few homes that fit.
Need some inspiration or suggestions? My featured listings are full of my favorite homes currently on the market, and I’d love to personally find a few options for you!
Be Prepared
It’s hard to know exactly what to expect during the buying process until you’ve actually done it—but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared! Browse my Buyer FAQs to get some much-needed answers to your questions, learn the steps to buying, and find out how to pack like a pro.
Have a few questions that come up along the way? Just give me a call! One of the best parts of working with an agent is the ability to communicate any of your concerns with someone who knows the ins and outs of the process. Take a look at some of my reviews to see what else I bring to the table!
Ready to Get Started?
Buying a home can be a tricky process—but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re a first-time buyer, I’m here to help, from navigating mortgage to guiding you through closing negotiations.
If you’ve got a few questions or want to get started, feel free to give me a call!