Buying a home is a big step for anyone, especially when it’s your first home! There’s so much to think about that it’s easy to miss something. That’s why you need a whole team of professionals to make your home-buying experience successful. You can think of it as Ocean’s 11, but there’s no escape plan, and you stay put for a while after you succeed. Here’s who you need on your crack team of home professionals.
Your Partner
This may seem obvious, but unless you’re buying a home by yourself, one of the most essential members of your crack team is your partner or whoever you’re buying the home with.
Before looking at houses, you should talk with your partner about what’s most important to each of you in a home. What are your must-haves, and what are your deal breakers? What’s the maximum you’re willing to put toward a monthly payment, and how much are you comfortable putting down?
Having these conversations early on can prevent tensions later because there will be fewer misunderstandings.
Mortgage Broker – The Money Guy
When considering buying a home, one of the first things you should do is get preapproved for a loan with a local mortgage broker. That speeds along the buying process when you find the home you want. It also helps you understand what is and isn’t in your price range and prevents surprises.
Realtor – The Inside Man
A good realtor is worth their weight in gold! The right realtor doesn’t just facilitate the process. They know the ins and outs of buying a home and will advise you on what to do when, if the buyer asks too much, and what to look out for.
You should also talk to your realtor about everything you decided with your partner. That will save you both time as the realtor will seek out homes that meet your criteria and won’t bother you with homes that don’t.
Home Inspector – Safe Cracker
Once you’re inside, you need a specialist. If you were planning a heist, that might mean a safecracker. But when buying a home, you need a certified home inspector. Like a safecracker listening carefully with a stethoscope as they turn the combination dial on the safe, your home inspector gets close and uses his senses to discover what’s right and wrong with the home.
We know where to find what’s hidden (even if the hiding is unintentional). With a whole home inspection, termite inspection, radon test, and well inspection, you can get a good idea about everything about your home that can potentially cause trouble. Then, you can use that knowledge to ask for repairs, get a price consideration, or choose not to buy a home.
Insurance Agent – The Fixer
You must get homeowner’s insurance if you choose to buy a home. Most home loans roll taxes and insurance into the monthly payments, so figuring out your insurance agent ahead of time can help speed the process along when you’re ready to sign on the dotted line.
A Nonbiased Family Member – The Brains of the Outfit
If you have someone you trust, like a friend or family member in the area, getting them to look at the home with you is an excellent idea. Ideally, find someone with good judgment who’s been through the home buying process themselves, but anyone with a good head on their shoulders without skin in the game will be beneficial to pull this off!
Home buying is an emotional experience. Even if you’ve lined up all your experts and have decided on your deal breakers and deal makers with your partner, when you’ve begun picturing living in a home, it’s too easy to make compromises you might regret later. Having someone who cares about you and who won’t be living with you to talk it over with can help you make the right decision.
Let Us Help You with Buying a Home!
At Detail View Home Inspections, we can’t be your whole home-buying team, but we can help ensure your dream home doesn’t become a nightmare! Let our certified home inspectors provide all the necessary inspections before you purchase.
