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Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Before You Buy, Tell Your Realtor These Four Things

By Pammy McGrath


If you are thinking about buying a home, contacting a professional real estate agent is almost always the best way to start your search. A trusted realtor not only helps you find suitable homes and sets up appointments for visitation, they also can help you through the maze of negotiations and escrow. Before you meet for that first time, you need to gather some important information to share with your realtor.

It's always wise to meet with a lender and get loan pre-approval prior to beginning a home search. The lender will look over your finances and determine the amount of money that the lending company is willing to provide to you. This amount plus your down payment is typically the highest amount that you can afford comfortably. However, even if you are pre-approved for $300,000 and have an addition $30,000 for the down payment, you might still want to spend less. Be sure to tell your realtor what you are pre-approved for and, more importantly, what you are comfortable spending.

One of the first things your realtor will need to know is your maximum budget, but there is definitely more that you need to share. You need to bring along an organized wish list of features you want to see in your new home. This includes the size of the home and yard, the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms and even the size of the garage. While some elements are more crucial than others, be sure to include all of your likes, such as having a designated home office, a finished basement or an updated kitchen with all of those swanky stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Be sure to add information about styles you like, such as a modern and contemporary home or perhaps something more traditional.

While your wish list is very important, keep in mind that it's highly unlikely that you will find a home that truly checks off all the boxes on your list. You have to be willing to make a few compromises, particularly when it comes to items on your list that are mainly cosmetic. Select a few items that you really want, such as being on a cul de sac or staying near a specific school or school district. The location of your home can never be altered, so it's extremely important that the home is where you want it to be and that you like the size and layout, which also rarely can be changed.

Also be sure to provide your realtor a list of items that you don't like. This might include highly important elements such as not being located on a busy road or perhaps looking at homes in a specific neighborhood that you don't like. If you hate contemporary homes or despise split-level home layouts, tell your realtor so that she skips these styles. Many people do not have the budget or time to handle many home projects, so be sure to be clear if you don't want a true fixer-upper. Sharing your likes and dislikes provides your realtor with a clearer picture of what you want.

If you are ready to begin looking for Fredericksburg homes for sale or Texas Hill Country real estate, give a call to the team at Nixon Real Estate. They can help you find the perfect home for your family and budget, as well as finding vacation homes, land and commercial properties. With nearly 40 years of experience, they can match any client to an ideal property that suits their needs.




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