Seattle still has an incredible real estate market in 2009, but....
It is different than it has been in the last ten years or so. Many first time home buyers like to ask their friends and family a lot of questions along the way and tend to rely at times on these lifelines.
Unfortunately, new Seattle buyers might find that asking all the questions in the world might not get them the right answers for this new Seattle market. Buying a house any time is a huge task, but being a first time Seattle home buyer on top of that makes it ridiculously intimidating for many.
These are some of the things an A + First Time Home buyer has already done:
Some of the hurdles in home buying...
- Finding a Seattle real estate broker who will guide you every step of the way. (A good Seattle agent will give you referrals to a good lender who will help you with all the numbers up front - someone they trust that will not deliver unneeded surprises along the way)
- Finding a qualified lender who can walk you through each and every step and won't charge you too much money for the privilege. ( Determine your purchase price budget by looking at what payment you can reasonably afford. Get a good faith estimate so you know what closing costs to expect)
Other Steps along the way that your Seattle Realtor should help you with:
- Locating a property in Seattle within your guidelines
- Structuring a strong offer on your behalf and going through the paperwork with you
- Negotiating with your best interests at heart
- Helping to schedule inspections, appraisal, escrow appointments, etc.
- Providing you with an overall picture of the sales process
- Keeping open lines of communication along the way!!! (I let them know what is going on even when nothing is going on so that they don't wonder)
- Referrals, referrals, referrals! - Inspector, insurance contacts, utility contacts, favorite restaurants or vets and doctors in the area, etc...
- Look at the resale!!! I always council Seattle buyers on their exit strategy - this is an investment as well as a home! How well will this house or condo sell in the future based on some of its attributes....
I like to make up a binder with lots of information for my first time home buyers in Seattle - I want to give them something that might help along the way or clear up any confusions. I also make up a calendar of events showing all of our important contract dates as well as a flow chart of the closing process. I like to look over the Good Faith Estimates from the lender to make sure all charges seem to be in line and have them ask questions if I see anything out of the ordinary.
I really want to be an advocate for Seattle first time home buyers that give me the privilege of helping them!
Do you need info on being a first time home buyer in Seattle? Need a free home buying guide? Want info on the $8000 tax credit? courtney@cooperjacobs.com Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Seattle real estate, @CourtneyCooper
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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948
Courtney: One of the best things I've ever done is to create a series of articles for 1st Time Buyers. Now all I do is direct them to my blog with a link to the series...
Rich - you are the master of these things I know! Your series are what I aspire to when I try and get some of these ideas down - I like that and will look at maybe putting something in the works. I also loved Jo Soss's relo packets - pretty amazing!
Courtney Excellent information - I have a Home Buyer's Guide I developed for first time buyers - I have it as an email attachment, CD and hard copy. I really have to get it online. Karen
First time buyers can get a heck of a deal now!