Ready to begin your home search?
Philadelphia, Collingswood, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, and Surrounding Areas
Searching for a new home can bring on all sorts of emotions: Excitement, Nervousness, Financial Anxiety…
I know you have already hopped online and starting day dreaming as you scroll through listings online. I want you to maintain that excitement, but I also need my buyers to keep their business hats on. We will begin with a phone call so that I can explain the current market conditions and prepare your expectations!
The number one question I receive from Home Buying clients is: “We are ready to buy a house, but how do we start the process?” Seems so simple, but most buyers want that checklist of tasks to get them going. Here are some basic starting points:
Step One is to contact a lender to review your finances and obtain a pre approval letter. I personally prefer when clients use local lenders who are familiar with the home search location and who reviews their finances before issuing a pre approval letter. I’m not a huge fan of automated approvals.
Step Two is to narrow your search online. I set all of my clients up with a Compass Collection, which is an online platform exclusive to Compass clients.
Step Three is to schedule tours.
IMPORTANT TIP: Please avoid requesting tours by clicking any scheduling buttons online. You will be assigned an agent instead of choosing someone who you feel comfortable with. New Law requires prospective buyers to sign a buyer agency agreement PRIOR to any home tours. Make sure you are choosing your representation!
80-10-10 Rule: We are looking for a property that hits 80% of your Must Have list. Then the property should have 10% of your list that can be accomplished with some updates or renovations. The final 10% is what you are willing to let go. It’s rare to find a house that hits 100%, so if you look for an 80-10-10 house, it’s a home run!
Once we find that 80-10-10 property… we will walk through the offer process.