Tips On How To Buy A House

Buying a house is harder for some people than others, and that's understandable.  It's probably the biggest purchase you will ever make so you want to be sure.  I don't blame you.  Here are some tips on buying a house.

DON'T LISTEN TO EVERYONE 

Everyone has an opinion, and that's okay as long as you take it within context and then judge for yourself.  Your mother, your father, your brother, sister, cousin, best friend, everyone has an opinion.   Listen politely, thank them and then do your own due diligence.  Just becuase two friends live next door to each other in one place doesn't mean they can live next door to each other in another area.

Everyone has their own comfort zone.  You need to find yours, and it's not that hard to do.  First things first - if you are planning to take a mortgage, get yourself pre-approved with a mortgage broker or lender.  This is the first step in buying a house.  I know you have good credit, your score is high, but that isn't going to help us in a multiple-offer situation or if we find the perfect house and it's Saturday night.  In Florida, we can write that offer up on Saturday nigh and submit it, but without a pre-approval, it's no good.  It will just be returned to us asking where is the preapproval.

If you plan to pay cash, that's not a problem.  You will need proof of funds, which can easily be done with a bank statement, etc that you can get online and cross out the account number.

BUYER'S AGENT

Now that you have your preapproval, it's time to find a Buyer's Agent.  Why?  Because even though there are tons of listings online, don't make the mistake of calling the name on the ad or on the sign - or go directly to the builder WITHOUT a Buyer's Agent.  Buyer's Agents are FREE.  Interview three and find one you are like and are comfortable with, because you will be working as a team for a while.  Again, you need to feel a connection, think comfort zone, someone you like and trust.

LET'S LOOK AT HOUSES

Once you have your preapproval and your Buyer's Agent picked out, it's time to look at houses.  Sit down with your agent and determine where you would like to live.  If you have an area in mind, tell your agent.  If you have a community in mind, tell your agent.  If you have a city in mind, Boca Raton FL, Boynton Beach FL or any of the nearby south Florida cities, tell your agent.  If not, let your agent show you homes in your price range with the most criteria on your wish list.  

Do you want to live in a gated community?  Would you prefer no homeowner's association?  Do you travel for work?  Schools?  Are you looking for a 55+ gated community?  Do you have pets?  How many bedrooms?  Bathrooms?  Do you want a pool?  These are all things you need to let your agent know so they can help you find the perfect house.   

A good agent will listen to you and pick up on what you're telling them.  They will also ask questions.  Then they will make appointments, set a schedule and off we go!  

The best way to learn about a neighborhood, aside from your real estate agent, is to talk to the people who live there.  Most people are nice enough if you stop them to talk.  They will tell you how long they've lived there, if they like it, what they like about it, whatever you want to ask them.  It's always best to get it directly from the horse's mouth, so to speak.  After all, they know it best.

Go back.  If the neighborhood or community is not gated, go back on Friday night, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, during the week.  Get a feel for it.  If it's a gated community, then you will need your agent to take you back in, and that's okay too.

SUBMIT AN OFFER

In Florida, we have pre-written contracts, fill-in-the-blank contracts, so to speak.  The forms are all online.  The agents fill them in, which is why an offer can be presented on Saturday night, if need be.  Attorneys are not required in Florida, but it's always a good idea to have one.  Attorney review comes after an executed contract in Florida, not before.  This is different than in many states.  

Negotiations may go back and forth for a day or two or longer.   When they are complete, we have an executed contract.  And this may all happen over the weekend in south Florida.

GO WITH YOUR GUT

In the end, it's your decision.  Not your agent, not your mother and not your best friend.  It's yours alone to make of where you feel most comfortable.  You're going to spned many years there.  It needs to feel right.  I can show you the best deal in the world, but if you're not comfortable there or it doesn't feel right, what good is it?

For information about pet-friendly housing in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Boynton Beach or Boca Raton real estate market, please contact me.

Contact Elyse:
By Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 By Text - 561-716-7824
Cell - 561-716-7824

Elyse Berman, PA, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO of Best Connections Realty, Inc. serving Boca Raton FL and the surrounding cities of Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach and Hallandale Beach.

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Tips On How To Buy A House