Buyer Information

Are you ready to purchase a home?  I can help you negotiate the best deal possible to obtain the home of your dreams.

With the abundance of mortgage programs available today there are options available that a lot of people are not aware of.  There are programs for first-time buyers, investors, empty nesters and growing families.  Your situation is unique and your mortgage program should be, too!

Below are a few suggestions for FIRST-TIME buyers to help make the process of becoming a homeowner less stressful. If you have any questions, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and I will contact you with more details.

Know your credit standing.  If you have outstanding debts try to pay them off, or at least pay them down, before applying for a mortgage.  This can affect your interest rate, amount you will be approved to spend on a home and your monthly payment.  DO NOT purchase anything on credit during your home search.  This will affect your debt to income ratio and could adversely affect your situation. 

Take some time to figure out what you truly want.  This not only covers what type of home you want, but the area, any amenities, school districts, convenience, etc.  Try to be as specific as possible so that you don’t cloud your mind with homes that are not a possibility at this time.

GET PRE-APPROVED!  If you start your search with a letter of pre-approval from your lender you have strengthened your position greatly when you find that ‘special’ home that is the perfect fit.  If you aren’t sure about how to get pre-approved, call me.  I deal with many lenders and can give you a list of options to choose from.  When a seller sees your offer with a letter attached that says you are already approved for a mortgage (s)he will take the offer more seriously than one that is submitted with a delay to obtain financing.

Attend Open Houses.  Get a feel for what the market is offering and the things you want to look for.  Each buyer is different in his or her criteria, so each looks at a potential new home with a different eye.  If you attend an Open House that appeals to you, call me.  I will make arrangements for you to view the home at your leisure, plus provide you with some background information on the home that will help you decide if it’s truly the home for you.

When we tour a home I will provide you with a checklist of the most common concerns/interests that homebuyers look at.  Make notes.  Feel free to take photos of a home so that you will have accurate memories to compare your choices.  If you don’t have the equipment to do this, just let me know.  I will gladly take digital photos for you and email them to you.

Keep in mind that there are now several programs that provide down-payment assistance.  If this is something that you would require, please let me know and I can get you in touch with the proper lenders.  Please remember – down payment assistance does not allow you to have unacceptable credit.

If you are in the market to buy a home please fill out and submit the form below and I will be happy to provide you with more details.

 CALL ME!  Let me help you find your dream home and make your goal of being a homeowner a reality. 

email: csmith@metrotoledohomes.com