BURTON REALTY - Professional Services for All

As a Real Estate Broker whenever I talk with a home buyer there are several topics that always come up in the conversation. Among these items are location, size of house, home style and costs. But the things that are often overlooked are the needs for inspections, a mortgage lender and a good attorney. Just like it is a good idea to have a good real estate agent it is a good idea to put together a team of professionals to help with the process. Before ever going out to look at the first property, it is advisable to go to a mortgage lender who can help you determine how much you can afford. There are some great pre-qualifying sites on the web and software packages you can buy. But the best is to sit down face to face with a skilled mortgage lender. There are many types of loans out there and loads of variations of each. When talking with a lending professional he or she can walk you through the steps which will hlep you choose what will be the best to maximize your situation. Once you have gone through the process and have decided how much you can afford and what type of loan you want. Then, you are ready for the next step. Find a qualified real estate sales person. The most important things to look for in a real estate person are: 1) do they know the market; 2) are you comfortable with them; 3) will provide you the service you need. A few quick questions about how the market is doing and what is available for sale will take care of item one above. Items 2 and 3 are a bit harder to determine. How do they make you feel when you ask them questions? How quickly do they respond back to you with answers. Do they give answers that are easy to understand? Is their personality easy for you to get along with? You will have to decide these things for yourself. It is also a good idea to interview several attorneys in advance. Find someone who will help you understand the contract and closing process. You may want to have your real estate saleperson give you a sample contract in advance. Then you can go over the contract with your attorney before you actually have it filled out and signed. That way you will understand exactly what you are signing and agreeing to do. Before you ever go to see your first house make sure that you consciously understand that you are going into someone else's house. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the colors of walls or the style of furniture. What you want is the right location, a sound structure and the basic floor plan that will meet your needs. Colors, carpets, fixtures etc. can be changed. But location and structural concerns are much harder to remedy. This will help you get started. Next time, let's take a look at inspections, insurance, alternate ways of closing and the like. Until then, happy house hunting! If I can help you further call me at Burton Realty (434) 974-7583. We are known as the small company with the big heart. Because we care for you and your housing needs.