If you’re in the market for a new home, there’s a few things you’re going to want to make sure you have ready to go. The first thing on the list is the down payment.

No matter what your budget is, you’re going to need at least 10% to put down to show you’re serious about making this particular commitment. And another thing you’ll want to consider, don’t make any large purchases or move your money around three months before buying a home. The banks need to see that you’re financially stable and haven’t incurred significant debt, so don’t plan to buy a new car until after you buy a house.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re pre-qualified for a mortgage before you start shopping. Unless you’re paying in cash, putting in an offer before you’ve met with the bank just means you may lose out on your dream home, and that can be horribly disappointing.

Once you’ve got all that taken care of, now you can start the search! The best way to get going is to find yourself a realtor. Realtors are experts when it comes to buying (and selling) homes, which means they have the expertise that you may not. 

They know how to negotiate

There are times when sellers know there’s something significant that needs to be done to the home they’re selling, and quite frankly, they’re not too interested in taking care of it. They’re moving on.

Small issues don’t usually factor in, but if the roof needs repair or the electrical needs to be upgraded, your realtor can negotiate to either have those issues taken care of, or the cost of getting them done knocked off the purchase price.

Realtors don’t have the emotional attachment to the potential house that you will, so they’ll be able to negotiate in an unbiased manner—their entire goal is to get you the home you want.

They handle the paperwork

There is so much paperwork involved in buying a house. It feels like you could fill an entire filing cabinet with the paperwork which includes the bill of sale, the deed, the written offer—and that’s before you sign everything your lawyer will put in front of you. Makes for a sore hand after all that signing.

Fortunately, your realtor will make sure what needs to be signed gets signed. The last thing you want is missing a signature on a very important document that causes you to lose the house when another offer swoops in.

They can keep you grounded

Buying a home is the biggest purchase of most people’s lives. It can be absolutely emotionally exhausting, and incredibly overwhelming, especially if it’s your first home and you don’t really know what to expect.

Your realtor can provide you with the support you’re going to need on this journey. Their guidance can lead you away from a home that’s a potential money pit and towards the ideal home for your budget.

They listen to you

When buying a home, you’re coming in with a max budget and a list of needs and wants. Some people want a fixer upper, others want a home that’s move-in ready. Some people only need one and a half bathrooms and some people want one for every person living in the house. 

A realtor will work within the parameters to find the home that fits your needs and your budget. They won’t show you anything above your max budget if you ask them not to. If you ask them to not look at any run down houses, those will be avoided. If you want in a certain neighbourhood or close to a particular school, your realtor will search those areas for the best home for you.

They’re ready to hear from you

When you’re ready to start house hunting, the Mayne Brothers are ready to help! They have a combined 40 years experience in the Okanagan and they will do whatever it takes to get you into your ideal home.

Call 250-860-0303 today to get the ball rolling!