Buying a home comes with a lot of decisions. It can be a pretty intimidating process for first-timers but we believe that buying your first home should be exciting, not stressful. That’s why we want to help. 

These are the top five mistakes first-timers make when buying a home for the first time (and how to avoid making them):

Mistake #1: Getting emotionally attached

You found a place that’s perfect for you? Great! Unfortunately, loving a house doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get it. Buying a home is a negotiation. There’s always a risk that someone could make an offer before you, or your offer could get rejected. You might also pay more than you should or make bad decisions just because you’re attached to the house. Stay strong, stay focused.

Mistake #2: Newer means better

There’s no denying that new homes are nicer. The updated appliances, granite countertops, kitchen island, in-ground pool, and hardwood floors sure are nifty but they come with a hefty price tag. Consider compromising. You end up spending less money if you buy a fixer-upper and do the renovations yourself. Look past the cheetah print wallpaper and shag carpet. Try to recognize the potential in the house.

Mistake #3: Not hiring a real estate agent

Real estate agents make the biggest difference when it comes to house-hunting. Rather than going to dozens of open houses alone, hire a real estate agent. These pros will help you avoid wasting time by showing you places that work for your budget and lifestyle. They’ll also act as your representative and make sure you pay a fair price for your home during negotiations. What’s not to love?

Mistake #4: Skipping the home inspection

Just because your new home looks fine, doesn’t mean it is. Looks can be deceiving, which is why a home inspection is a necessity. A home inspection will let you know whether the property is truly worth the price tag. You’ll also get a heads up about repairs that may need to be done in the future.

Mistake #5: Not getting pre-approved

Getting pre-approved before you even start your house-hunting journey will make your life a whole lot easier. Not only will you know your borrowing capacity, you’ll be able to plan your monthly payments, and get more credibility as a buyer. You’ll save time by only looking at houses that are in your budget. Mortgage brokers make it their mission to find you the best rate on the market. Banks typically only offer their in-house mortgage products.

If you do these five things, buying your first home could go off without a hitch. Especially if we do #5 together. At MortgagesMadeEasy.com, that’s all we do. You can use our secure online form to apply for your mortgage pre-approval. We’ll get back to you on the same day with a mortgage tailored to your specific situation. 

Questions? Book a free consultation. We’ll gladly walk you through the process and explain everything you need to know to buy your dream home.

Buying a home can be overwhelming. With so many things to know, your to-do list seems never ending. Closing the deal is like the light at the end of the tunnel however, it comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s what to consider in the final stages of purchasing your home:

Understand the documents

Buying a home comes with a lot of paperwork. It’s important to make sure you know what you’re getting in to. Consider hiring a lawyer to help you with this step. Getting legal aid is especially important during the final stages of the transaction. Contracts, deeds, surveys and policies can get a little confusing for the average Joe. Take note of the things you don’t understand and ask questions. Lawyers speak the language and can make sure that you understand it too.

Complete a home inspection

This is a physical inspection of your potential home. The inspection allows you to know if there are any issues with the property. It also gives you the opportunity to back out of the deal, renegotiate your offer, or ask the seller to fix any problems you may find. As long as your purchase offer included a home-inspection contingency, you’re golden.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

A mortgage pre-approval confirms the amount you qualify to borrow and protects you from rate increases for up to 120 days. While it’s not necessary, this step will help you get to the closing stages of the deal faster. This gives you some leverage when negotiating and saves time by helping you search only for homes in your budget.

Ready to get pre-approved for your mortgage? We can help. At MorgagesMadeEasy.com, that’s all we do. We compare rates from over 30 lenders, including the big banks, so you always get the best deal.

You can use our secure online form to apply for your mortgage pre-approval. We’ll get back to you on the same day with a mortgage tailored to your specific situation.

Questions? Book a free consultation. We’ll gladly walk you through the process and explain everything you need to know to buy your dream home.

It’s that time of year again! It’s home-buying season, and that could mean you’ll be busy house hunting, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Here are a few helpful tips to make the search a little easier:

It’s better together

Don’t pick up the phone and call the first Open House you see. Not only could it be unsafe, but the house you’re viewing might not be what you’re looking for. Instead of trial and error, hire a realtor. Tell them exactly what’s on your wishlist. They’ll set up all your viewing appointments, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. This way, you’ll be looking only at houses that match your criteria, and you won’t be wasting your time. The realtor also gets paid by the seller when you take the home, which means you don’t have to pay them directly.

Speak your mind

Save the trash talk for after the viewing but be sure to voice your opinion. Don’t be afraid to tell your realtor how you feel. You won’t offend them if you don’t like a certain house. It’s their job to find you the perfect dwelling. If you don’t like something, let them know so you don’t end up seeing more of the same.

Take your time

House hunting is a long, tedious process. It’s not something you want to breeze through. If you can, avoid scheduling any activities for two hours after a showing. You don’t want to feel rushed into anything. Take your time and be thorough. Don’t be afraid to get in there and open cupboards, cabinets, drawers, and closets. Get familiar with the place. You’re not snooping, don’t worry. You’re there to gather information, but you can’t do that without taking a look.

Viewings can take several hours; take advantage of the time you’re given. If you end up liking a place, you’ll spend more time there. If you end up really liking a place, you might

want to place an offer immediately. This will add even more time to your stay. Make a day of it and take your time.

Apply for your mortgage pre-approval

A mortgage pre-approval confirms the amount you qualify to borrow and protects you from rate increases for up to 120 days. Mortgage pre-approvals from your bank aren’t a guarantee. Talk to an experienced broker instead. At MortgagesMadeEasy.com, mortgages are all we do. It’s what we’re good at. Take a look at our Guide to Easy Mortgage Approval to get an idea of the paperwork you need for your mortgage pre-approval.

When you’re ready to apply for your mortgage pre-approval, use our secure online form. We’ll get back to you on the same day with the best mortgage in the market for your situation.

Questions? Let’s talk. We can walk you through the process and explain everything you need to know to buy your dream home. Call us at 613-563-3447 or use our contact form.