Buying your first home is one of the most exciting and emotionally charged events of your life. However, there are a lot of things to think about as you go through the process to make sure you make the best decision – like getting pre-approved, finding the right realtor and understanding this concept called ‘escrow’.  Below are some personal and professional insights to help you navigate through the process:

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Getting Pre-approved: This is the first step in the process – where the lender looks at your qualifications to determine how much home you can afford and provides you with the monthly payments associated with various purchase prices.  Also, having a pre-approval letter greatly strengthens your offer on a home.  It is a common mistake that first-time homebuyers skip this step and start looking at homes beyond their affordability.  Get this done first!

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Choose a Realtor: If you don’t know of a good realtor in the area, we may be able to refer one to you or there are a number of websites that offer great reviews for local realtors (realtor.com, Zillow, etc.).  The goal is to find a realtor who has the experience and expertise in the area you wish to purchase.  But almost as important, the realtor should fit with your personality.

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Understanding the Process:  Escrow, title insurance, pre-approvals, purchase agreement, loan applications…these are just a handful of the terms you will hear in the process.  The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert in these areas to purchase a home.  A qualified Greenstone loan officer and realtor will provide all of the guidance you need to navigate the various steps in the process.

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