Most homebuyers start the process anxious, excited, nervous, and some are downright terrified. It’s natural. A home is the largest and most expensive purchase that most people will make in a lifetime. It can either turn out to be a complete financial disaster or a smart long-term investment.

The person standing between it being a huge financial mistake or a valuable asset is you, the agent. Still, the agent can only help as much as the buyer allows. As vital as having an experienced agent by their side is, there are things that first-time homebuyers have to do.

Here is a list of tips to help first-time homebuyers help you the agent do the best job that you can do. When you are approached by a first-time homebuyer, share this list with them to help them get off on the right foot.

• Tell Your Agent Everything:You don’t want any surprises; neither does your agent. Let them know upfront about any financial issues on your credit report. Be as detailed as possible about your goals and be flexible.
• Make Lists:Write out a list of the things that you want and a list of the things that you need in a new home. Share this list with your agent so that they can better help find what you are looking for. Update or add to your list as you think of things and share those changes with your agent.
• Keep Notes:Your agent is going to keep solid records of the homes that you see. However you should also keep your own notes as you go to open houses. After each home, share what you liked and what you didn’t like with your agent. That will help him or her narrow the search down for you.
• Organize Your Documents:Keep your documents organized and all in one place. If you have a pre-approval letter, keep that with you on house hunts in case you decide to make an offer. Any documents that you will need like appraisals should be readily available as you search for homes.
• Stay Positive:Maybe the most important tip for first-time homebuyers is to stay positive. Even after you have found the home that you want, made an offer, and had it accepted, the process of closing the deal can sometimes take longer than you’d like. Stay positive. If you’ve looked at several houses and still haven’t found what you want, stay calm. Trust your agent to get it right for you.

Speaking with an Agent

An agent for first-time homebuyers is an invaluable asset. They can help you navigate the process when you are unsure of what to do next. You could call and speak with an agent if you have general questions. However, if you are ready to seriously start shopping for a home, you need an agent now. Feel free to contact Neny Henriquez (+297 5937070 with your specific questions.

 

Everyone’s different. Some of us are more put together than others — and there’s nothing wrong with that! Each of us are, hopefully, working to become the best person we can be at our own pace. Some people, like family members or counselors, can help us along our road to self-improvement. The same is true for houses.
Some houses are ready to live in. Others need some renovation before becoming the best dwellings they can be. And you, dear reader, may be thinking of becoming one of these houses’ guides. You may want to become the person that brings a house back to its former glory and surpasses it to be enjoyed by yourself or its future owner. But not all houses, unlike people, are worth saving. It’s sad, I know, but it’s true. So I’d like to share 7 things to consider, plan for, and do when figuring out which fixer-upper is worth fixing up.
1.Hire a home inspector to, you guessed it, professionally inspect the house. You might know all the cosmetic renovations you have to make to the home, but an inspector will know what else needs to be fixed or replaced. There could be expensive and necessary fixes hiding in the ceiling and inside the walls that you may not have considered. It could be anything from outdated wiring, to a flawed foundation.
2. Settle on a house that has a good frame and foundation, literally. A solid roof, up-to-date electrical wiring and plumbing, and a good floor plan are other important aspects to look for. Having to repair or change these things is definitely possible, but would be difficult and expensive.
3. Make a budget: This may seem obvious, but it’s a sure fire way to know if you can afford to buy the house in the first place. Account for the full cost of the house and of all the renovations you’ll have to make and add a percentage of that amount onto the budget to cover unforeseen costs. Some recommend 12 percent.
4. Renovations take time: plan for the remodel to go on for a long time — even longer than the contractor may have predicted. Consider this when making your initial budget and while weighing the specifics of a loan. In addition, if you’re planning to live in the house while it’s being renovated, you may have long periods of time without a usable kitchen or bathroom, depending on the scale of the remodeling.
5. Where is the house? I won’t say “location, location, location,” but I will say that it’s important to pick a house in an area within close to the beach and other desirable qualities.
6. Prepare to make a lot of decisions. Who will you trust to be your real estate agent? Which contractor and home inspector should you hire? Will you take out a loan? What type of loan? Which specific pieces of furniture will you buy? What color will you paint the house? And so on and so forth. Try splitting the decision-making up over time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
7. Be ready for a sense of accomplishment. No matter how simple a fixer-upper project might seem, it will take patience, dedication, and effort to complete it. But once the house is finished, you’ll have pride in the home you’ve given new life to. There’s a joy that comes with living in a home you had a hand in finishing to your liking, and, after putting in the work, it’ll be well deserved.
I know it may be tempting to settle on the first deal you find for a fixer-upper, but now you have seven things to think about before you do. Hopefully, considering these points will give you a better idea of the
project you’d be embarking on with any fixer-upper before you do.
So be patient, don’t get overwhelmed, and know that I’m here to help if you need it! – Neny Henriquez +297 5937070