Local Buying Tips
Sunset over the Amelia River
Tips For Buyers:
- Pick a Realtor you like. A Realtor that listens more than talks. It is important for your Realtor to be able to pick out your “needs and wants” by listening to you in conversation.
- Know what you want. Put together a list of criteria and rank your priorities. Hopefully you will find everything you want in your dream home but it is helpful to know which features will make or break your home.
- Get your finances in order. It is helpful to meet with a loan officer before looking at homes. This allows you to know which price range to shop in. If you aren’t sure you could end up looking in a range too high and be disappointed when you come down to the right range. You can score huge brownie points when having a pre-approval when making an offer. This shows the seller you have started the loan process, are qualified and ready to purchase. Doing this will also help you prepare for your down payment and binder amount.
- Shop! According to NAR over 90% of buyers start looking at homes on the internet. This is a good place to familiarize yourself with the market and the inventory. Keep in mind that not all websites are updated daily so some information can be out of date. Use this as a tool to supplement what your Realtor gives you. This should not replace or take precedence over your Realtor because they are the market professional.
- Be realistic when making your offer. Ask your Realtor to provide comparable homes that are listed and sold in the same area as the home you like so that you can make a good decision when making your offer. Remember that bringing a low offer can start a lengthy negotiating period or turn a seller off totally.
- Be upfront with your Realtor. Your Realtor is your advocate. In order for them to do the best job for you, let them know what your future plans are.
