The new home buying process can feel like a roller coaster ride. Feeling high one minute, experiencing a rush the next, at a low point if things start going sideways or maybe even completely upside down.
Soundbuilt Homes and our preferred lenders, Guild Mortgage Company (Michael Fornerette) and OnQ Financial/The James Group, all share one very important goal when it comes to your new home buying experience: We want it to be a good one!
We don’t want our home buyers to feel good only when everything is said, done, signed on the bottom line and keys are in-hand, we want the new home buying experience to be a positive experience from beginning to end.
That said, here are 5 things that new home buyers can do to make the new home buying process better for themselves before hitting the new home buying trail:
1. Decide what you must have
Make a list of the types of features, space and other amenities that you feel are must-haves when it comes to buying a new house.
2. Decide what you want to have
Beyond the deal breakers listed above, what type of preconceived ideas do you have about new homes, or what are some of the things that you would like to (but don’t necessarily require) in your new home?
3. Decide what you’ll negotiate for
Almost never does any home buyer get every single thing that they want – or even think they need – in a new home. From the list of your “must haves” and “would like to haves” above, decide which are most important and make a short list of 3-5 things that you might list on a purchase and sale agreement (or PSA) when making an offer to buy a new house. (Make sure you take this list along when you go out to look at new homes or get ready to make an offer on a new house.)
4. Narrow the field
Do some research before you go out to look at homes. Narrow down the list of potential new homes you might buy according to:
- neighborhoods where you might want to live
- school districts
- proximity to work
- shopping, restaurants and other urban amenities
- outdoor recreation or proximity to ski resorts, water, etc.
5. Eliminate unpleasant surprises
A little bit of planning will go a long way to making the new home buying process better, faster and more fun; especially when it comes to this: Eliminate unpleasant surprises by getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you get serious about looking for your new home or make an offer on a home.
There aren’t many things as disappointing for new home buyers than getting their hearts set on a new home only to find out that they can’t afford it.
Our preferred lenders have decades of experience helping new home buyers get pre-approved for home loans, explore which options work best for them in the short and long term, and so much more. They can provide you with a checklist of home buyer dos and don’ts to make sure that you come through the new home buying process with flying colors and – most importantly – with the mortgage that you need to buy the new home you want!
Contact our preferred lenders before you get serious about house hunting. We’re confident that you’ll be amazed at the level of service they provide and the speed at which they can deliver.