Buying a home can be a big decision, as well as one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or it’s been awhile since you last bought a home, you may not know what to expect when buying a home and likely have questions about the buying process. Here are some tips to successfully guide you through the process.

1. Get a REALTOR®. A real estate agent, like Marigrace Bailey with F. C. Tucker, is knowledgeable about the market and what homes are available. Plus, a REALTOR can get you access to all available properties in your desired area.  Additionally, a real estate agent can walk you through the steps to buy a home and answer any questions you may have along the way, making the whole process easier for you.
2. Foster a good relationship with your REALTOR. “I care very deeply about doing a good job,” says Bailey, who has 11 years of real estate experience. “I’m here to take care of my clients and their needs. That’s why I’m genuinely interested in them.” Good communications can go a long way in building trust levels. Therefore, Bailey listens and learns as much as she can about her clients and their families, so she can find properties that meet their requirements.
3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Bailey always has her clients talk to mortgage lender or broker, like Grandview Lending, first. “I refer my clients to Grandview Lending, because they need to know how much they can afford when it comes to buying a home,” says Bailey. “Many first-time and older buyers say it makes sense that they need to talk to a lender. And Grandview Lending is competitive and very ethical.” A lender can provide you with a pre-approval letter, which states the amount they think you’ll be able to borrow based on your income and credit history. Therefore, you’ll know what price range you need to stay within when looking at homes. Also, Bailey says, when you find a house you want to buy, the pre-approval letter lets the home seller know that you’ve already talked to a lender and you can afford to buy their home.
4. Do your homework on the areas in which you want to live. Figure out what’s important to you when it comes to a home, such as good schools, being close to work or being in a community with a swimming pool. “Most people have idea of where they want to live,” says Bailey. “They may call me and say they want to live in Carmel or Washington Township in Indianapolis. I listen to them and what their needs are.” However, while your real estate agent can do their best to meet your requirements, you also need to take some responsibility, too, in investigating the homes you’re interested in. For example, if you want your children to go to a certain school, call the school district and ask if the property’s address is within that school’s area.
5. Work with your REALTOR when you’re ready to make an offer. Part of a real estate agent’s job is to be knowledgeable in contracts and be an effective negotiator on your behalf. They can help you when it comes to making your offer and negotiating home repairs needed following the home inspection. “Once you get into negotiation and contracts, it’s my job to make sure my clients meet all of their deadlines,” says Bailey. “I can also help them pick a home inspector. However, the home buyer must attend the home inspection. That’s when they get to learn about the house. And I can help them if there are serious things that need to be fixed, like radon, termites or a crack in the exchanger. That’s another negotiation that you need a good real estate broker for. However, don’t ask the seller for deferred maintenance on a 30-year-old home. That’s just part of becoming a homeowner. But if there are safety repairs or things that are super expensive that need to be fixed, then I can guide the buyer about getting those things fixed. Or, we move on to the next property.”

Remember: A good REALTOR ensures your home-buying process works out in your best interest. To schedule an appointment with Marigrace Bailey to talk about your home-buying needs, contact her at 317-709-6095 or via email at teambailey@talktotucker.com.

If you need a new home mortgage, contact Grandview Lending, located in Indianapolis, by calling 866.690.4920 or completing their online form. Our mortgage specialists will work with you to find the right mortgage for your needs.

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