3 Things Every Home Buyer Needs Before House Hunting

By Chip Hodgkins

The Hodgkins Homes Team specializes in Residential Real Estate Selling and Buying, mortgage, title, development, new construction and remodeling.

Before you start touring homes or scrolling through listings, it’s worth making sure you’re actually ready to buy. There are three things every home buyer should have in place first, and getting them sorted before you start looking makes the whole process smoother. Skip one, and you can run into roadblocks right when you’ve found the home you want.

Start with your credit. The first thing to check is your credit, because it shapes whether you qualify and what kind of mortgage terms you’ll get. If your credit is already in good shape, that’s perfect, and the best move is to avoid doing anything that could change it while you’re house hunting. If it needs work, there are credit experts who can help you raise it before you apply. Your credit score is one of the biggest factors lenders weigh, and a stronger score can mean a lower rate, so it’s worth getting right before you fall in love with a house.

Have money set aside for your deposit. The second must-have is cash ready for your deposit. Depending on the price range of the home you’re looking at, you’ll generally want somewhere between $2,000 and $20,000 set aside so you have enough to move the transaction forward with confidence. Knowing whether you’re financially ready before you start looking keeps you from scrambling once you’re under contract.

Work with a professional real estate agent. The third piece is having a professional agent in your corner. A good agent guides you through the process and does the right negotiating on your behalf, so you end up with the transaction you’re after and the right house for you and your family. That guidance is what turns a stressful process into a confident one.

Get those three things in place: good credit, money set aside, and the right agent, and you’re truly ready to start looking. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Central New York, we’d love to help you get prepared and find the right fit. Call or text us at (315) 449-6697, email us at Info@Hodgkinshomes.com, or visit HodgkinsHomes.com. We’re happy to walk you through every step.