Top 5 ways to take the stress out of buying a home

Top 5 ways to take the stress out of buying a home

As a Realtor in Nanaimo I often hear people comment on how stressful it is to buy a home.  Hearing these comments made me think "what are the most stressful parts of buying a home?"  Five things stood out to me as being key stressors in the home buying process.  Based on these stressors, I have listed below what I think to be, the Top 5 ways to take the stress out of buying a home.

•1.  Get preapproved BEFORE you start shopping for a home.  Once you have supplied your financials to your mortgage broker or bank, and they have done their due-diligence they will give you the go ahead to start house hunting.  You will be told how much of a mortgage you are approved for and then you can determine what price range of houses to look at.

•2.  Shop in your price range.  This one seems obvious, I know, but it can be stressful to look at homes out of your range.  Set a maximum price of homes to look at and stick with it.

•3.  Know your closing costs.  Very few home buyers actually know how much their closing costs will be.  Have your Realtor review them with you before you start shopping.

•4.  Know your neighbourhoods.  Choose several neighbourhoods that you would be happy living in.  Ask your Realtor to search for homes in those areas.

•5.  Work with a Realtor.  Hiring a Realtor to work for you is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  For starters, Realtors are paid a percentage of the commissions paid out by the home seller.  Buyers do not pay a commission.  There are a number of documents that have to be signed during a transaction.  Your Realtor will help you navigate through, the sometimes complicated waters, of home buying.

For additional ways to take the stress out of buying a home please give me a call