Buying a home is no small feat; whether you’ve done it before or are a first-time home buyer, it requires a lot of time and energy. As a real estate brokerage, we have helped many clients from all walks of life buy homes. If you are looking for an Edmonton REALTOR® to help you buy a home, you can connect with us here! We have compiled 5 of our trusty tips and tricks to help you in your home-buying journey that will, hopefully, result in you finding your perfect home!
Work with an Edmonton REALTOR® you trust.
Finding a real estate agent you trust and feel comfortable with is paramount. With over 4,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Edmonton area, you will have plenty of options; this can be overwhelming! First, ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations. Hopefully, someone you know will have had a great experience with an agent in the city and can refer you to them for your buying journey. If not, do some online research! Find brokerages and read their testimonials and client reviews. Interview a few REALTORS® and ask them the questions that matter to you. We wrote a blog post about important questions to ask here!
Have a clear understanding of what you can afford.
Knowing what you can afford before you begin your real estate search will save you time and emotions. It can be very difficult to find a home you love, only to discover that you cannot afford it, nor will you be pre-approved for the listing amount. You can avoid this by creating a budget and trying your best to stick to it. Compile all your bills, debt, and any other pressing payments, and figure out what you can afford to spend on a mortgage with all those numbers in mind. Your Edmonton REALTOR® will be able to help you with this!
Know what you want, but be flexible.
Having a list of wants and needs is good! You should write down these ideas and know what you can and can’t live without, and let your Edmonton REALTOR® know what those are. For example, you might work from home, meaning it’s imperative to have a spare room you can use for a home office; this is a non-negotiable for you. And then maybe you really want a west-facing backyard so you get that evening sun. You’ve found a house with the perfect home office, but the backyard is south-facing. You may need to be flexible on the things you can live without so that you get the things you can’t. Make a list; know what you will not budge on and what you’re open to changing your mind. We promise it will make the home-buying process much smoother for you!
Get your preapproval in advance.
A mortgage preapproval is a lender’s offer to loan you a certain amount of money under specific terms. Having a preapproval letter shows home sellers that you are a serious buyer and can give you a leg up in a hot market, making your offer stand out amongst others who don’t yet have preapproval. Applying for preapproval from multiple lenders to shop rates shouldn’t hurt your credit score if you apply for them within a limited time frame.
Do not skip the home inspection.
A home inspection offers you a thorough assessment of the structure and mechanical systems. Professional inspectors look for any potential issues or hazards so you can make an educated judgment about buying the property. Some buyers are tempted to skip the home inspection to speed up the closing or save money, but you might pay more for your rash decision later on. A home inspection may cost you money now, but it will give you peace of mind, and that is priceless.
Are you looking for an Edmonton REALTOR® to help you buy a home?
Realty Unleashed has helped many clients buy homes. We love being able to help guide clients through the process, as it can be overwhelming! If you need an Edmonton REALTOR® who can assist you in buying your home, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below, and someone from our team will get back to you shortly.
