By Becky Streeter
Buying your first home comes with all types of emotions: fear, joy, stress, anxiety and excitedness. This will likely be the biggest financial decision you have ever made, and the most money you have ever spent in one day, so all emotions are justified. You want this to be a good decision, but having never purchased a house before, you also don’t really know what to expect when you start looking. Kim Bump with Mosaic Real Estate through Keller Williams Realty Diversified has some great tips to help you find and purchase the right home for you.
When you’re ready to get serious about house hunting, the first thing you should do is choose a Realtor. Bump says, “Look for someone that represents YOU, understands the process, and can teach and guide you through every step. A Realtor eliminates the stress and unknowns and shows you what the next step will be.” To find a good Realtor, Bump suggests asking friends and family for recommendations, and checking reviews on social media websites. “You can interview agents–you don’t have to pick the first one you talk to,” she says. “Make sure it’s someone you connect with.” Your Realtor should be helpful and put your needs above their own. They should be a good communicator–if you prefer text messages over phone calls, they should be accommodating. And, of course, make sure your Realtor is knowledgeable about the market, continually updating you when prices and interest rates are shifting.
Once you choose your Realtor, start looking at houses! Bump says one of the most important things to keep in mind while shopping is sticking to your budget. Your Realtor should help you find houses that meet your financial needs. Buyers are typically making emotional decisions–it’s the Realtor’s job to help them make informed decisions. Bump suggests to keep an eye out for the ‘little things’:
“Does the house look like it’s been cared for? Is it clean? Have things been maintained and updated? Are there stains on the ceiling? Is the foundation solid? The small things speak volumes about a house. If there are things wrong with the house, the Realtor should make sure it is priced accordingly.” And, when you’re ready to pull the trigger, have a home inspector go through to make sure you know exactly what you are purchasing.
Bump says a good Realtor should be able to inform and educate you throughout the entire hunting and buying process. “Research shows that people who own homes are wealthier than people who don’t,” she says. “If I can help a young couple build wealth through purchasing a home, that will help them throughout their whole lives.”
It is important that your Realtor helps you find the RIGHT house--one that fits your needs, circumstances, and hopes and dreams for the future. Bump states, “A house is something you’ll make your own. It becomes a character in your life story. You will always look back and say, 'That's the house we lived in when we had our first baby…when we got our first puppy….’ It’s a benchmark for your story.”
When you’re ready to look for your first home, the foundation of your story as a couple, Kim Bump would love to help. Visit her website https://www.kimbump.com/, or call 715-514-0125.
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