Top Tips for Homebuyers

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Top Tips for Homebuyers

charlotte homes for saleWhether it’s your first or fifth time, home buying is both an exhilarating and daunting process. It’s always fun to imagine your dream home, that of course features top-of-the-line finishes and is decorated impeccably, maybe even with a waterfront view too.

And then reality hits. You can’t find exactly what you want, in the area that you want, at the price that you want. The stress begins to set in. Fortunately, the home buying process is as fun or as grueling as you make it. So it’s important to follow this #1 tip: do your research!

It is important to do your due diligence as a homebuyer so that you can set realistic expectations for your purchase. Doing proper research includes following a few specific steps.

1. Get pre-approved.
We all hate talking about money, but this is the most important detail during the home buying process. You can only buy what you can afford – it is as simple as that. You can save yourself the headache and heartache of disappointment by getting pre-approved for your loan so you know exactly how much you can spend on your home. This will also save you a lot of time so you aren’t touring homes that you cannot afford.

2. Know where you want to live.
Is it important for your new home to be in a certain school district? Do you want to be in walking distance from shops and restaurants? Is there a limit to how far you will commute to work?

All of these are extremely important factors to consider when you are researching homes for sale. You can easily change the paint colors and remodel the bathrooms, but you cannot change the location of your home.

3. Find a real estate agent.
But not just anyone. During the home buying process, you need to work with a real estate agent that you like and get along with, since they will be helping you make a very large purchase. Additionally, it is also imperative that your real estate agent understands and accommodates your needs and goals throughout this process.

By being an educated buyer and following these three simple steps, you are sure to be a new homeowner in no time.

Shelly Henderson
Shelly Henderson
Shelly calls herself a “Charlottean” because her family has been there since her elementary school days. She serves as Henderson Properties’ co-founder, along with her husband Phil, managing the day-to-day operations, social media branding and leadership development. Her different life experiences, both positive and challenging, earned the title to her first book Starting From Scratch. Shelly has a servant’s heart and leads her company with purpose and passion. She is mom to two sons who continue as young adults to make her heart swell.