Hey everyone!
This is my first official post. So I’ll give you a quick bit about me. I’ve been with FresYes since day one and have had a role here as an agent, a listing coordinator, and I’m currently the Director of Marketing. I’m going to be bringing you a real estate related post every week and may occasionally have a guest writer join in. Hope you enjoy.
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You hear it E V E R Y W H E R E: Buying a home is one of the best investments you can make. But where do you start? Is it just like the TV shows make it seem? You look at three homes and pick the one you like best?
Here’s your guide on where to start, helpful tips, and who to call (hint: it’s not Ghostbusters 😉)
1. Know what you want.
There are so many options out there. More than you may realize. When purchasing your first property, decide if you’re looking for a single-family home, condo, townhouse, in the heart of town, in the country, etc. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, so before getting too far in the process, make sure to narrow down which options best suit your lifestyle.
2. Let’s talk money.
How much do you want to spend? How much of a mortgage payment can you afford? These are major questions you need to answer before searching for a home which you can click to view here. There are numerous ways you can go about this including talking to your bank or credit union about their mortgage options, reaching out to local lenders, shopping online, asking a real estate agent who they recommend or asking a family member / friend who they used. Again, there are benefits and drawbacks to each option. I always tell homebuyers that using a local lender is their best bet and its ok to “shop” multiple lenders. Using a local lender allows you to meet with them in person, you won’t get lost in a stack of loan applicants, and they are familiar with our real estate market.
3. Look at all the costs you’ll incur monthly.
Mortgage payments are important, and likely the largest expense, perhaps more than what you need to spend a great vacation in Joshua Tree. But don’t forget about other expenses such as utility bills, on-going maintenance, insurance, and taxes to name a few. You’ll want to make sure you have a pretty good estimate of your expenses before locking in on a mortgage payment.
4. Find a great agent.
There are so many agents out there! In fact, in the Fresno area alone there are over 2500! Of course, I recommend going with a FresYes agent every single time! When looking for an agent you want someone who is knowledgeable about the area of town you are interested, knows the schools, the restaurants, the shopping options, the best food trucks, etc. Experience in the home buying process is obviously important but don’t you want to know what it is like to live in that area? FresYes agents are local experts and provide six-star service every day.
5. Go house shopping!
So, I’m going to be plain honest with you here- It’s 99% NOT like the TV shows make it seem. Chances are you’re going to look at more than three homes. Chances are you’re going to put in a few offers, and you’ll get more rejections than you’d wish for. But with the right agent and lender, your home buying process is going to be great and you’ll be in your new home ready to make memories and grow your wealth through your purchase.
That’s it in a nutshell! Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to the FresYes Insider to keep up to date with all our real estate tips and guides as well as read about all the great things happening in our community.
Have a question for me? Shoot me an email at luis@fresyes.com or find me on Instagram.
BONUS
Here’s a couple of tips from our agents:
“Talk to a lender, decide how much you want to spend, and how much of a payment you are comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you’d like. Buying a home is a huge investment and you have every right to ask as many questions as you’d like” – MacKenzie Hartung
“Find a good agent. Who you work with matters. You wouldn’t let just anyone watch your children, walk your dog, or take care of your car. You should be picky about who you work with and feel free to interview agents!” – Manuel Bettencourt & Johanna Mott
“You don’t pay your agent anything for representing you in the purchase of your home, the seller pays them. Your agent will have your best interest in mind and will do everything they can to get you the best deal at the terms that work for you.” – Jon Williams
“Don’t start looking at homes before you’re pre-approved. There’s nothing worse than getting your heart set on a home and then figuring out you don’t qualify for it or the payment is more than you would like to pay. Always start with a pre-approval for a mortgage” – Sarah Clark
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