Purchasing a home is a significant investment in your future, as well as a significant and essential stepping stone in life.
There’s a lot that goes into managing the homebuying process from beginning to end, from selecting the right real estate experts to keeping a handle on your finances to creating your guiding list of wants and needs. Taking the first steps forward can be overwhelming, mainly if this is your first time exploring the Houston real estate market.
Are you ready to launch your home search in Houston as a first-time buyer? Here are eight key ways to make this phase go more smoothly at any stage:
1.) Work With an Experienced, Knowledgeable Real Estate Broker
The real estate market in Houston, Texas is more complex and competitive than it has ever been. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when you begin your home buying journey is selecting a real estate professional.
Our Houston Premium Homes agents are hyperlocal experts who are ready to be your go-to resource for all things real estate. You’ll have expertise, intelligence, and creativity on your side when you buy with a Houston Premium Homes seller. Our highly educated and experienced real estate experts will do everything possible to make a complicated, time-consuming process simpler and more seamless.
It’s never been easier to start bringing your most significant real estate dreams to life — from the day you start dreaming about your next home to the day you’re given the keys — with our realtors working out of our convenient offices across Houston.
2.) Learn More About the Homebuying Process
There’s a lot more to buying a house than looking at listings online and going to open houses. Your Houston Premium Homes Realtor will help you demystify the whole process from start to finish, so you can step forward with a better understanding of what to expect.
When it comes to buying a house, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. Your real estate agent will help you distinguish reality from fiction and provide you with vital information about down-payments, closing costs, and what you can expect to pay in municipal taxes and fees.
Your broker can also assist you in better understanding all of the moving parts involved in home buying. Better still, they’ll be by your side during the process, helping you with everything from mortgage loan analysis and preapproval to making an offer on the house, entering negotiations, and communicating with all parties involved during the attorney review and home inspection periods.
3.) Prepare Yourself Emotionally, Financially, and Personally
Purchasing a house is a significant move forward. As you navigate this dynamic and ever-changing phase, your real estate professional will help you plan for what to expect.
What about, for instance? Many people focus on the down-payment required to buy a house, but they may neglect some other crucial financial factors. How much money do you need to buy a home in your ideal neighborhood? Will you be unable to obtain loans if you have unpaid debts? Can you genuinely comprehend the significance of your credit score? What documents and records do you make sure you have on hand?
At the same time, keep in mind that purchasing a home is an emotional and profoundly personal experience. Are you being honest about how much time and effort looking at listings would take? Are you in the right frame of mind to make choices and deal with life’s ups and downs? Have you had a chance to speak with your loved ones? Have you considered the logistics of moving with your young children or pets in tow?
4.) Get a Feel for the Local Market
The Houston real estate market is hyperlocal and competitive. If you’re looking for the vitality and density of downtown or a quiet home in a historical community, your knowledgeable and professional real estate broker will assist you in researching various communities as you begin your quest in earnest.
Remember to take time to get a feel for each new area and research market patterns and housing statistics. This is an essential first move that is often ignored. Neighborhood research is a fun way to start your home quest, mainly if you take the time to get to know each community. Like a local by going for a drive, exploring local attractions, shopping at favorite neighborhood shops, or visiting nearby parks and greenspaces.
5.) Understand Your Loan Options
One of the most critical steps in preparing to purchase a home in the future is to educate yourself about the various loan options available. There may be multiple choices and opportunities available, ranging from conventional fixed-rate loans to adjustable-rate loans to government-insured FHA and VA loans.
When you deal with a Houston Premium Homes agent, you can be confident that you will always have a direct line to a mortgage company that will be there for you on your real estate journey. We’ve been providing home sales, mortgages, and title services all under one roof for several years. We believe that having a trustworthy team of real estate professionals working together to direct our clients through every step of their transaction provides a better overall experience.
6.) Get Preapproved for a Mortgage
Preapproval for a mortgage entails deciding how much money you’ll be able to borrow before you apply for a loan. With a preapproval letter in hand, buyers better understand their loan choices and budget, including written approval for a particular loan sum, a possible mortgage interest rate, and a list of possible purchase services.
At any point of the real estate deal, having a preapproval letter in hand puts buyers in a good spot. It’s crucial to know what you can afford even before you start looking for a new home. Preapproval allows you to set a reasonable budget and limit your quest for a house.
And once you’ve fallen in love with a place, you’ll want to make sure you’re a desirable buyer. In a competitive market, a preapproval letter shows sellers that you’re serious, which can help you stand out from other buyers. You will lead the seller that you can afford their property with a preapproval, making you a more appealing buyer with bargaining power.
Purchasing a home would never be simple if the financing is a convoluted mess. With us on your side, you’ll have a go-to resource for obtaining preapproval and, eventually, accepting the best possible terms on your loan. Being local also makes it easier for them to assist you with the preapproval and loan process and keep you updated.
7.) Focus Your Home Search
Your Houston Premium Homes real estate agent will take the time to get to know you and will confidently and calmly lead you through the rapidly evolving Houston real estate market.
Your real estate professional will help you develop and implement strategies that will help you achieve your objectives. This could include considering significant factors such as your budget or preferred venue, as well as taking smaller, more personal steps such as writing down your detailed list of wants and needs for your future home.
8.) Know the Tools and Resources Available to You
When you have a toolkit of personalized tools to help you narrow your quest, it’s easier to find your next home.
When you work with a Houston Premium Homes realtor, you’ll have access to a unique set of cutting-edge tools that will help you narrow down your quest. Navigate the Houston real estate market, such as exclusive previews, real-time property updates about every property on the market right away.
Do you want to know the best ways to look for a home during the COVID-19 pandemic? From virtual open houses and tours to using digital resources to help you discover your favorite Houston communities, your Houston Premium Homes agent can help you take advantage of creative technologies. We help you keep up with your goals from the comfort and protection of your own home. Do you believe you’ve discovered the ideal home? Houston Premium Homes will go to great lengths to assist you in making a bid and closing with confidence.
Houston Premium Homes, We’re By Your Side — No Matter What.
The Houston real estate market is moving — and if you’re ready, you can too.
It helps to work with a real estate company that can take the stress out of finding your new home during these unpredictable times. With everything going on, we know how important it is to move forward with your important real estate decisions — and we’re here to make that more accessible and safer.