There are many ways to streamline the home-buying process. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned veteran, below you will find some helpful resources as you begin the process. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!
Why is this important? The market can move at a quick pace and you don’t want to waste time looking at something before you approved or know what you are really able to afford. Don’t make the mistake of assuming your price range before you go through a pre-approval. This will keep your expectations in the right place and help you narrow your search to homes that are truly within your scope.
It is also important when it comes to putting in an offer. In the current market, multiple offers are not uncommon. Occasionally, the listing agent may reach out to the lender to inquire whether the buyer has been fully approved or just pre-qualified to help that it is solid financially.
What is the difference between pre-qualifying and pre-approval? A pre-approval will mean that you will go through a full application process with your lender. They will likely need your social security number, W-2’s, assets, and credit information to help determine the right price range for you and your estimated interest rate.
A pre-qualification generally is just from information that you would tell a lender without verification. While this sometimes can be accurate, it does not go through the process of making sure there isn’t something that would alter your amounts. i.e. outstanding credit issues, other loans that may alter borrowing power, etc. The danger here is that you could put an offer a house, have it accepted, and then potentially have the sale fall apart because you find that you cannot actually afford it after going through the approval process. This leaves everyone heartbroken and frustrated!
How do I know which lender to work with? We recommend reaching out to at least a couple lenders to ensure that they are the right fit for you. This can even just be a phone call to chat for a few minutes to get a feel of personality style. We have a couple of lenders on our preferred vendors page that past customers have used and had a great experience with. Keep in mind, that if you know someone you certainly can and should work with them if you choose to!
Curious to know about the schools in the neighborhood you are buying in? Use this tool to find out what schools are in the area with links to the school websites to learn more about them.
If you’re thinking about moving to a new neighborhood, it may be helpful to learn a little more about the area. Here’s a tool with a short video about the neighborhood you may be interested in:
Begin your official home search by viewing our listings! Take note of areas and home qualities you are most interested in. You can also work with us via Zillow or Home Spotter.
