Resources like the MLS online search can help you do your initial house hunting in the comfort of your own home. Using the MLS online search, you can select specific neighborhoods, home size, and of course home prices. But before you start searching, it’s important to know how much you can afford to spend.
If you’re ready to start looking for your dream home, the first thing you should do is contact a financial lender to get preapproved for a loan. This is an important step because it will help guide you and your Realtor when pinpointing homes in your search.
When you get preapproved, you’ll know which price range to select pulling up homes through resources like the MLS online search. For example, if you know you’re preapproved for $175,000 you won’t want to even look at homes above that range. In the end, it saves you time and potential heartbreak if you fall in love with a home with a price that is out of reach.
Another great benefit of getting preapproved for a home loan is that when you do make an offer on a house, the loan processing time is typically reduced. With preapproval, you can save a lot of time on the back end of the loan. This will get the keys to your dream home into your hands sooner.
If you haven’t already selected a financial lender, I can give you the names of some mortgage companies to check out. Once you choose your lenders, the preapproval application will ask for some personal information like income, debit, etc. This is the typical information lenders need to assess individuals’ lending risks. Have this information ready when you connect with your lender.
If you’re ready to buy a home but you’re not sure where to begin, give me a call at Down Home Real Estate. As a specialist in the Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and Apache Junction area, I can guide you down the path to home ownership—from preapproval to offer to close.
