Somewhere in Seattle, someone has just closed on their first home. It is an exciting time and something to be very proud of. Will you be joining that club this year? If so, then you’ll want to take your time to do to things right. Here is some helpful advice for first-time homebuyers.
Set a Comfortable Budget
Your new mortgage payment should be close to what you’re paying in rent in order to make it all work. But you don’t want to get into a situation where those payments are putting a strain on your finances because you also have to pay for property taxes, insurance and any future repairs. This is why it will help to set a budget before you go into the home buying process and factor in what could be your new monthly expenses.
Get Pre-Approved
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you go shopping for a home can put you in an advantageous position for making an offer. A seller would be more accepting of a buyer knowing that they are “good to go” rather than waiting to see if you qualify. And getting pre-approved can also provide you with a realistic range to shop in. Be sure to also look into all the available lending programs from the state and federal government.
Shop for an Agent
An experienced real estate agent is going to be crucial for your purchase and that means finding an agent that is a good fit. Remember, they’re working for you and they’ll be making a nice commission for the effort so you have to feel comfortable with them. That means being able to ask the dozens of questions that will come up.
Don’t Move With Junk
Finally, when the deal is done and you’re ready to make the big move, be sure you’re not bringing any of your old junk with you. You don’t want to start out by instantly filling up the garage and closets with clutter. Junk King Seattle will be a big help with this task. Their two-man moving crew and big truck is all you’ll really need to get rid of anything you’re not packing up. Let Junk King Seattle help keep old rubbish from getting into your new home.