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971-237-1800 [/frame] [dropcap character=”A” color=”blue”]A first-time home-buyer, according to the traditional industry standard, is one who has not purchased a home within the last three years. Programs for the first time home buyer come and go. Some people decide to purchase their first home at auction, in hopes of getting a better deal. With this being said, there are some people who may prefer to get in touch with residential construction companies, in the hopes of building their dream home from scratch. These types of choices depend on the individual and their financial situation.
If you’re interested to learn more about house auctions click to view more. There are a variety of programs available with different down payment options and your lender will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each. Keep in mind that there are additional costs incurred when purchasing a home such as closing costs, the cost of a home inspection and an appraisal.
If you are a first time home buyer, perhaps you have many questions you will want answered. So, let’s take the process of purchasing a home one step at a time. You probably have looked through real estate magazines and perused the internet for homes you are interested in. Now that you are ready to begin looking, you will want to select a Realtor® and a lender. If you’re not quite ready to purchase a property and at this moment in time would rather rent, sites like Apartment Guide can help you to find your ideal property, you can see for yourself here – https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Washington/Seattle/.
Find a Realtor®
As a buyer, it costs you nothing to be represented by a Realtor®. A Realtor® will represent your interest and take you through the entire process from writing an offer to being by your side when you sign the final documents at closing. Ask family and friends for recommendations. It is a good idea to interview several, preferably face to face. You might want to consider approaching somewhere like one of the real estate companies tri cities wa. Your Realtor® should be one who is working real estate full time and has been in the industry long enough to have gained experience and expertise or be backed by a team or brokerage that is available for support.
Questions for a Realtor®
How long have you been in the real estate industry?
Is real estate your full time profession?
Are you typically available on your cell phone?
How many houses have you sold in the last six months?
How many listings do you have?
What is your availability?
May I call you in the evening?
May I view properties on the weekends?
If you are not available is there someone else who can help me?
Find a Lender
Choose a local lender if at all possible. Your Realtor® will most likely have recommendations of lenders he or she trusts and has worked with in the past. It is a good idea to interview several, preferably face to face, before making a final decision. Do not allow lenders to check your credit score until you have decided whom you will use.
Questions for a Lender
How long have you been in the mortgage industry?
Do you have an assistant?
Can I reach you if I have questions?
What type of loans do you offer?
Who will service my loan, your company or another?
What are your fees? How does that work? Are they negotiable?
What do you need from me?
How long will the loan approval process take?
What can I do to speed up this process?
How long will it take to close the loan?
Is there a prepayment penalty for prepaying the loan?
After locking my interest rate, how much time will I have to close?
What happens if we need more time? Is there an extra cost for this?
Timeline for a Loan & Getting Pre-Approved
Your Realtor® will want to know that you have been pre-approved for a purchase before you begin viewing homes. Your lender will give you a timeline for obtaining the loan and a list of “dos” and “don’ts” which will be similar to this list provided by Pacific Residential Mortgage:
Your most current pay stubs
Last three years of federal tax returns
W-2’s/1099’s and other income documentation
A complete and final copy of divorce decree, if applicable
Identify current debt including creditor’s name, monthly payment and balance
Information on any derogatory credit, judgments or liens
Most recent asset statements including: bank, brokerage, mutual funds and retirement accounts
60 days seasoned liquid assets for funds to close
Gift fund documentation including: proof of donor’s ability to gift, gift letter, copy of gift check and proof of gift deposit
Don’t Do Before or During the Loan Process:
Quit or change jobs
Increase current credit balance
Open, close or apply for any new credit accounts
Dispute any items on your credit report
Forget to make your payments on time
Transfer or deposit large sums of money
Make any cosmetic or structural changes to the property
Now that you have a Realtor® and a mortgage lender, you are ready to begin your search for a home. These two partners will take you through the entire process of your first home purchase from beginning to end and be there to answer your many questions. When being represented by two knowledgeable professionals your journey should be worry-free and rewarding.
[stylebox color=”blue”]Contact McMinnville Realtor® Beth Frischmuth at 971-237-1800 to learn more about real estate in McMinnville.[/stylebox]
Published 2012/12/16