First time home buyer? You're not alone...

If you're thinking of buying a home for the first time, you're probably a bit overwhelmed by the idea of it all. You have to think about whether or not to use a buyer's agent, how to secure a mortgage, and what exactly it is that you're looking for in a home. Most people forget to do one important thing: breathe.

The search for your first home can be stressful, so try not to put it all on your shoulders at once.

You probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

Tip #1: Do Your Homework - The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home and location. Figuring out what town you want to live in is the first and most crucial step. Looking "all over the map" can be confusing and frustrating. Location is KEY and by narrowing it down to one (or two at the most) towns is crucial. This way you are comparing apples to apples when it is time to starting looking at the homes.

Tip #2: Start Planning - Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process.

Tip #3: Get Pre-Approved - Getting pre-approved for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. A pre-approval does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being pre-approved can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.

Tip #4: Look for Value - When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires caution.

Tip #5: Decide What You're Looking For - Settle on the home features that are important to you (garage, basement, two full baths, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that does not really fit your needs.

Tip #6: Do "Drive-Bys" - After finding homes you "like" on the Internet, go do a drive-by of the neighborhood and the home itself. This is something that won't only save you time, but save you confusion as well. The worst thing you can do as a buyer is to walk in a home that you know you would never buy because of the area or the exterior aesthetics. This will also help you get a feel for the location and neighborhoods that you like.

Tip #7: Relax - You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered. After all, the process can be as exciting or as stressful as you make it!

Sometimes the most important thing is getting pointed in the right direction. More information for first time buyers can be found on our website, or by emailing us. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Hope this helped. Good luck and most importantly, have fun!