Tips for First-Time Homebuyers | House Hunting and Making an Offer

Buying a home can be exciting - especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But as exciting as the home-buying process can be, you must be prepared. Before you hit the road to look at homes or open up that app on your phone, let’s talk about some essential tips for house hunting and making an offer.

Make a List and Check It Twice

Needs vs. wants - get familiar with it. Write down everything you need in a home and everything you'd like in one. To make it easier, break your list into categories such as proximity to work, school systems, or home features.

You should also consider how long you’re staying in a home. If it’s your “forever” home, then you’ll want to be more stringent about what you need in a home. But if you only plan on staying in the house for a few years, there’s more wiggle room in what you need in a home.

When you have your list, share it with your agent for a smoother home-buying process.

Making an Offer

So you’ve found a home? That’s great! But now it’s time to navigate making an offer. When making an offer, you should consider what goes into drafting an offer and the costs associated with it.

Drafting your offer can be intimidating, especially if there are other offers, but like me, your agent should go through them with you step by step. If the sellers expect multiple offers, there are several ways to stand out. Together we will put together the BEST YOU can offer. The highest offer isn’t always the best offer. You’ll send your pre-approval letter or proof of funding, a copy of your earnest money check, and a Personal Property Addendum with your offer. If the home is built before 1978, a Lead Based Paint addendum will also be required.

LEARN MORE ON MY MAKING AN OFFER BLOG

After you’ve made an offer, the ball is in the seller’s court. They can counter, choose another offer, reject it, or simply accept. But I’m always rooted for an accepted offer!