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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Before You Buy, Tell Your Realtor These Four Things

By Pammy McGrath


When you are getting ready to buy a new home, signing a contract with a professional realtor is typically the best way to find what you really want. Not only can the real estate agent help find the ideal home and set up all of your home viewing appointments, they are helpful in making sure that the process of escrow runs smoothly, as well as helping you find inspectors and many other details. However, before you sit down with a realtor, there are some things you need to do first.

One of the best things that you can do prior to meeting a realtor and searching for a home is to get pre-approved for a loan. This means that a lender has gone over your financial situation carefully and determined a set amount that his or her company will be willing to lend to you. Perhaps you have $50,000 saved for a down payment and the lender is willing to lend you $500,000. This means that you potentially can afford homes that are $550,000 or less, although you probably will have to cover a portion of the closing costs and pay for inspections and other fees, so keep that in mind. Also, just because you are approved for $500,000 does not mean that you have to spend that much. If you wish to spend less, be clear about that when you meet your realtor.

Once you have set a budget and shared that with your realtor, you need to provide the agent with a list of features that you want in your home. Be sure to include everything you want such as the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, the size of the yard and the size of the garage. Perhaps you also want walk-in closets and a finished basement or a kitchen updated with granite and stainless steel. Maybe you would prefer a single-story home or maybe you love the look of a home with a brick faade. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for your realtor to truly understand your needs.

While your wish list is very important, keep in mind that it's highly unlikely that you will find a home that truly checks off all the boxes on your list. You have to be willing to make a few compromises, particularly when it comes to items on your list that are mainly cosmetic. Select a few items that you really want, such as being on a cul de sac or staying near a specific school or school district. The location of your home can never be altered, so it's extremely important that the home is where you want it to be and that you like the size and layout, which also rarely can be changed.

Also be sure to tell your realtor what you absolutely do not want. Perhaps you don't wish to have a home on a busy street or in a particular part of town. Maybe you absolutely hate split-level homes or hate contemporary style homes or you do not want to have a home with a downstairs master bedroom. Perhaps you just cannot handle the work of dealing with a fixer-upper or you need a home that is not far from where you work. Whatever you really dislike or don't want, share this with your realtor as well.

With nearly four decades of experience, the realtors at Nixon Real Estate can help you find the perfect property for your budget and needs. They can find Fredericksburg real estate, San Antonio real estate, Kerrville real estate and any type of real estate in Texas Hill Country. Whether you need a single family home, a commercial property or a large piece of land, contact Nixon Real Estate today and get started on your search.




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