If after reading Tip #1, "When to Transition from Renting to Buying", you thought, "I should consider buying a home in the next couple of years", it’s time to start taking steps toward setting yourself up for a successful home-buying experience.
Asking the right people the right questions is informative, wise, and free! It’s never too early to make great connections (just because you’re a year plus out from buying doesn’t mean you can’t align yourself with a fantastic team to guide you through the coming months). Here are some great questions to ask yourself, your agent, and your lender:
Questions to Ask Yourself
Ultimately, you are in the driver's seat when it comes to deciding what you want in your next home. Thinking through these points early on in the process will help guide big decisions in the months and years to come.
- Why am I wanting to move?
- What is my ideal timeline for moving into a new home?
- What will moving ultimately do for me and my family?
- What is my price range?
- How much do I anticipate using for a down payment?
Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent
Working with an experienced Real Estate Agent will provide you with insight on the local market (when the best time to buy would be), walk you through the practical details of a real estate transaction, and help you avoid potential obstacles. A Real Estate Agent works on your behalf for no charge to you (the seller pays their commission), and you can connect with them as early as you’d like. Here are some great questions to ask your Real Estate Agent:
- How should I get started in looking for a home?
- What does the timeline look like from the time I start looking at homes through closing day?
- How do I go about submitting an offer on a house I love?
Don’t have a Real Estate Agent yet? I would love to help you if you are in the North Texas area. Feel free to contact me at any point if you have any questions or want to pursue next steps!
Questions to Ask Your Lender
- What type of loan would be best for my financial situation?
- How much am I pre-qualified for?
- Is this the best time for me to be considering purchasing a home?
Don’t have a lender yet? Or want a second opinion? Our preferred lender partner, Tom Sherman with Benchmark Mortgage, is a great (free) resource to help answer these questions! Click here to reach out to his team for next steps!
In tip #3, we will cover “Who You Need on Your Team” – providing insight on who you would be working with alongside a real estate transaction and why choosing the right professionals is imperative.