How can a realtor help me if Im buying a home? - If you are in the market for a new home chances are that you have been looking at houses on the internet, or driving around your neighborhood picking up flyers from houses that are for sale. For many people this is their first step in looking for a new house since it is low pressure, and entertaining.

When you are ready to get serious about finding the right home for you, definitely enlist the assistance of a qualified realtor.

An experienced Realtor can offer advice during your property search. There are so many homes available and it is time consuming to look at them all. A Realtor's full-time job is to find the perfect home for his or her buyers.

A Realtor is also very valuable when you have found a home and are in the process of the negotiation of a purchase agreement and sales price.

A Realtor can do all of the leg work for you with researching areas that you are interested in buying a home in and finding the home that is the best match for your needs and in your price range. A Realtor can also help you if you're buying a home because they will set up appointments to go look at the houses you are very interested in and walk you through the homes as well. Realtors can usually get access to most lock boxes very easily to bring you to look at a home at your convenience.

Realtors have access to homes that have just been listed but are not yet on public MLS searches. They receive updates when prices are lowered. Realtors can find how long a home has been on the market. They can find if a home has been under contract and the offer fell through. All of this information can help when negotiating an offer.

Another reason to get the help of a real estate agent if you are buying a home is that it will not cost you anything. Real estate agents, weather working for the buyer or seller, get paid from the seller's side of the transaction.

Make sure you sign a contract with the realtor of your choice, so you can make sure he is representing your best interests.

Buying my first home - Are you getting ready to buy your first home and not quite sure what to do? You are not alone. Many Americans buy their first homes each year and are in the same situation. The first thing you need to do when considering buying your first home is to talk with a mortgage professional and get pre-approved for a mortgage. This is going to let you know how much of a home you can qualify for and afford. You will get an idea of how much your monthly payments will be as well. By getting pre-approved you will have more buying power over a home-buyer that has not been pre-approved.

How long do you expect to be in your first home? This is an important question because most people, especially first time home buyers, move on average every 3-5 years. For example, the lower introductory rate of an adjustable rate mortgage may be smarter if you know you will be out of the home prior to the first rate change. Be sure to ask your mortgage professional to explain which loan programs make the most sense for a short term stay versus living in the home forever.

If you plan on staying in your new home for awhile, make sure you have enough room for exspansion.

Keep in mind that the average person in the US only stays in their home for less than 10 years.

There is a lot of paperwork involved in a home purchase. Most of it deals with the mortgage. Delay in getting all requested copies to your mortgage professional quickly or giving inaccurate or incomplete information can delay your closing or cause your purchase contract to expire and result in the loss of your earnest money.

Buying a home is a very emotional experience. You will need to count on the best real estate and mortgage professionals to help keep you on the right track during this exciting journey.

Next, you will want to enlist the help of a Realtor you like and trust. An experienced Realtor will not only show you homes, but will be very helpful when you are submitting an offer and negotiating the terms of your purchase agreement. Buying a home without a Realtor is like going to court without a lawyer. I would not recommend it.

Becoming familiarized with your credit history well in advance of a purchase, 1 to 2 years, is highly recommended. That way you have time to make improvements and build credit so when you apply for a loan you will have access to better rates and lower payments, as well as a number of loan programs to choose from.

One good idea is to attend several open houses. Start getting a feel for what you like, and what you don't like. Also, see what homes are selling for in your area. Once you know your local market, you are in a much better position to make an offer.

How can a realtor help me if Im buying a home?
MY Mortgage

For more information,
please visit our
Homepage.

Unanswered questions?  
Email us or have us contact
you at your convenience.

For helpful publications and
links, please visit our
Resource Area.


MY Mortgage
160-03 N. Horace Harding
Expressway
Flushing, NY  11365
Tel:. 718-886-4438
Fax.: 718-445-9003
This is a collection of postings
from various mortgage
brokers and loan officers on
the subject of "How can a
realtor help me if Im buying a
home?".  We hope you enjoy
reading these helpful
information contributed by
mortgage professionals from
different parts of the country.
Google