YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY A HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME?

 

Well, you have come to the right place!

The process of buying your first home can be extremely daunting, and although buyers may feel overwhelmed with information, in a market where first-timers are often outbid by buyers with cash on hand, doing your research, being as prepared as possible and having the right REALTOR® by your side are key.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD?

First, you will need to figure out how much you can afford. SRP The Agency can recommend a lender that will fit your needs so they can sit with you to   review your finances and establish a realistic price range. You don’t want to begin looking at homes and fall in love with one only to realize the monthly payment is too high.

While we always recommend those we feel look out for the best interest of our clients, you should always shop around for a mortgage. If you would compare prices on groceries, it only makes sense to do the same for a purchase as significant as a home. Look up who has the lowest mortgage rates online first, then call lenders and ask for a written list of their fees so you make sure to get both the lowest rate and the lowest fees.

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS?

Talk to your SRP REALTOR® to see if you quality for down-payment assistance. There are several of these programs offering services in the surrounding towns and cities. 

GETTING A PREAPPROVAL LETTER

Get preapproved for a loan. This will make your offer more attractive to sellers, as there is less likelihood your loan won’t be approved while you’re in escrow. Find out from your mortgage lender what kind of paperwork you need to submit to get preapproved or use our Pre-Approval Checklist located in the Resource Area of our website. These often include W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns. Work with your lender to get a copy of your credit report and make sure there aren’t any abnormalities that need to be addressed.

REFERRALS FOR GREAT AGENTS

Get referrals from your family and friends to find a great real estate agent. Interview them to make sure you feel comfortable with them and to assess how knowledgeable they are. Don’t forget that if a particular agent isn’t meeting your needs, you don’t have an obligation to continue using them.

When you do find a home that you’re ready to make an offer on, take the market into account – if it’s a sellers’ market and the home is priced well, you’ll probably want to make an offer either at the asking price or possibly even a little above. If the seller knows they will get multiple offers, you want yours to stand out. An SRP REALTOR® will help you navigate the process and give you great advice.

HOME INSPECTION?

Just like everyone else whom you employ in your home search, you are free to use a home inspector of your choice. Here at SRP we strongly recommend Home Inspections. Get recommendations from friends and family to make sure you’re getting a trustworthy inspector, not just one who is working to close the deal.

If you are interested in buying a home in the Gastonia-Mecklenburg area, call SRP today and experience the difference for yourself!

MAKE YOUR SEARCH EASIER WITH OUR SPECIAL SEARCH FEATURES.

 

FIND A HOME YOU LIKE? SIGN IN TO YOUR SEARCH ACCOUNT AND SAVE IT!

 

Create an account today, then come back tp this page to log-in. Save all your homes you are interested in, in one spot and compare easily.