Lately I feel more and more like a NASCAR Crew Chief when working with homebuyers. Getting to the finish line of a real estate purchase is a lot of work! Like a race, it takes preparation, agility, and decisiveness to come out on top. 

Here are 4 points to remember when buying a new home this Spring

Preparation (Part 1)

Before beginning your search for the home of your dreams you should first speak to a LENDER to determine exactly what loan type and preapproval amount you will be eligible for.  Without this information its like driving without a steering wheel, not good.

Preparation (Part 2)

After receiving a Preapproval letter from your lender it is now time to talk with your REALTOR about your priorities as a buyer. Several factors contribute to a homebuyer's decision-making, including Affordability, School System performance, Security of neighborhood, Proximity to work or Family, and of course the Quality of the residence (AKA Curb Appeal). I STRONGLY recommend ranking each of these factors with your Realtor before beginning home search.

Decisiveness

Once you've taken care of your financing and crystalized your search strategy, its time to view some houses! Trust your Instincts. A majority of the time a buyer knows if they are at the right home for them within moments of entering the door. Verbalize all your emotions, good and bad, with your REALTOR (Crew Chief) so you're both on the same page. 

Speed & Agility

Act fast! When you've decided on a property you need to move quickly to secure the home. Across many local real estate markets buyers are dealing with very low inventory levels. This means less homes to choose from and more Buyer competition. Many buyers learn this lesson the hard way. Don't be one of them!