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Answers (23)
- Devin Haub, "Devin Haub Remax"
- Contributions:29
There's only so much you can do by yourself online or just driving by homes. As soon as you feel confident to take the search seriously, contact an agent so you can start seeing homes on the inside in person and begin getting a feel for what you are wanting to buy. Also, keep in mind that the process of finding the right home for you can take months, and the actual purchasing process generally takes 30+ days.
- Best Miami Beach
- Contributions:20
We recommend contacting a realtor as soon as you know you are ready to purchase. There may be distressed property opportunities that will take longer than you anticipate, that are great values, to get started on. Good Luck!
- Fort Lauderdale Luxury, "Fort Lauderdale Lux"
- Contributions:23
Hello Samuel, We agree with the majority of answers posted, begin interviewing now, read testimonials, and get an idea of where you would like to live by visiting reputable agents websites. Best of Luck!
- Levi Rodgers, "Levi Rodgers Veteran"
- Contributions:2
Samuel... Bottom line, the decision is yours.... the more time the merrier. You never know when the perfect home will pop up. I would start looking now for a good professional that displays the ethics and values that you would look for and expect in a professional business person. If at anytime you need any assistance, advice, or just some plain ole' help... just give me a call. Levi Rodgers 210-784-6585 BuyVetSA.com BuyVet@Gmail.com
- Wes Black
- Contributions:509
My personal opinion is to do it first thing. Then you will have his advice for loan officer visit and he will be your advocate from the very beginning. Remember, generally no fee to have him be your buyers agent. Wes Black Top Semonin Buyers Agent. 502-468-8445
- Cheryl Talbot Real Estate, "Virginia Beach Homes"
- Contributions:674
It's not too early to start interviewing Realtors. I have had many buyers hire me long before they are ready to buy. One thing is that you can start getting an idea of what's for sale and what it will take to get what you want in today's marketplace. So starting the process now is not too soon. Since you don't pay for a Realtors services, be certain to find someone who you feel will work hard for you. In the process of selecting someone, you will need to find the person who is the best match for you. They can also assist with lenders who might be able to assist you in securing a home loan. Thank you for your question.
- Bryan & Rachel Hoffman, "Bryan Hoffman"
- Contributions:13
As an agent, I submit that it is more important that you start working with a lender than an agent at the very beginning. This way, you can know how much you can and want to afford for a monthly payment, the amount of money you may need to put down (thereby possibly affecting when you can buy), and help clean up any credit issues you may have prior to making any offers to purchase. Most buyers tend to only begin working with a lender after an offer has been made. By working with a broker, banker, or credit union 3-6 months prior, it will make the process much easier and likely less expensive for you. Regarding agents: most can help you determine your search parameters, set up an automatic email notification to you, and get you first-time buyer information. As previously noted, 2-4 months prior is usually a good window of time.
- Ania Miller, "amiller18"
- Contributions:49
You hire an Agent BEFORE you start looking at homes. They will represent you and your best interest. You should never feel like you are waisting their time, it is the profession they have chosen and that is how they earn their living. Remember, it costs you nothing to have representation.
Ania
Ania
- Seth Captain, "CaptainSeth"
- Contributions:142
A buyer's agent will tell you their personal timeframe for beginning your specific home search, whether it be a condo, multi-unit, or single family house.
Some agents would like more advance notice than others. The sooner you establish a relationship the better, with both a mortgage broker and a buyers agent.
As long as you are honest, with an agent, the banker, and anybody else you deal with, then you will never be wasting somebody's time.
Some agents would like more advance notice than others. The sooner you establish a relationship the better, with both a mortgage broker and a buyers agent.
As long as you are honest, with an agent, the banker, and anybody else you deal with, then you will never be wasting somebody's time.
- Mike Vazquez, Realtor at ERA, "Mike Vazquez"
- Contributions:62
the sooner the better. you may not hit it off with the first one or two and might need to keep looking. plus you'll want them to send over some inventory so you can start becoming educated on the areas and markets you are looking in if you aren't already. good luck
- Hamp Yonce, "Zilluminati"
- Contributions:3463
About Jan. 3!
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1967
Whatever your decision before Contracting an Agent please become informed if you are not already about the Different options available..
All the Following information is provided by the Department of Justice
Did you know in Texas Brokers may offer Buyer Rebates
What are the laws in your state?
Did you know
"Ten states forbid buyers' brokers from rebating a portion of the sales commission to the consumer. Eight states require consumers to buy more services from sellers' brokers than they may want, with no option to waive the extra items. HUD recently clarified its rule that rebates are permissible under RESPA as long as they are reported on the HUD-1 form."
Consumers can save thousands of dollars in commissions
Please check out the Information on Competition and Real Estate provided by the DOJ Anti-Trust Division
Good Luck
All the Following information is provided by the Department of Justice
Did you know in Texas Brokers may offer Buyer Rebates
What are the laws in your state?
Did you know
"Ten states forbid buyers' brokers from rebating a portion of the sales commission to the consumer. Eight states require consumers to buy more services from sellers' brokers than they may want, with no option to waive the extra items. HUD recently clarified its rule that rebates are permissible under RESPA as long as they are reported on the HUD-1 form."
Consumers can save thousands of dollars in commissions
Please check out the Information on Competition and Real Estate provided by the DOJ Anti-Trust Division
Good Luck
- Sharon LittleJohn, "Sharon LittleJohn"
- Contributions:2
Hi Samuel,
April will be here shortly! (hard to believe)
I work with alot of Real Estate Agents and I am sure they would not feel like you are wasting their time to start the conversation on home buying. It is important for them to discuss with you what your needs are and your goals for the new home, so they can keep an eye out for a home that show up on the market that fits your profile.
My other suggestion woud be to get pre-approved through a lender so that you are financially prepared for the cost of the loan and your payment. The best bargaining tool is to know how much you want to purchase and already know that you can afford it!
It makes the process less stressful!
Take care!
April will be here shortly! (hard to believe)
I work with alot of Real Estate Agents and I am sure they would not feel like you are wasting their time to start the conversation on home buying. It is important for them to discuss with you what your needs are and your goals for the new home, so they can keep an eye out for a home that show up on the market that fits your profile.
My other suggestion woud be to get pre-approved through a lender so that you are financially prepared for the cost of the loan and your payment. The best bargaining tool is to know how much you want to purchase and already know that you can afford it!
It makes the process less stressful!
Take care!
- Sherri Bloom, "Sherri Bloom"
- Contributions:60
Hi Samuel. April will be here before you know it! Now is a great time to start looking for homes online on your own, as well as make contact with an agent to let them know what you are looking for, and what your time frame is. I would also get in touch with a lender and make sure you have your ducks in a row on the financing side. Good luck!
- Linda Walters, "SageBuyerAgency"
- Contributions:11
A lot of my clients have said at some point they were afraid to "waste my time", which is a nice sentiment. From my point of view, though, the earlier they contact me, the better I like it. I can get them started on the process the right way. Be sure they have a few good lending contacts to provide advice about steps to take to keep credit scores good, instruct them about the dangers of going to a bulder's site without an agent, look into sources of money they may not be aware of, etc. Plus there is no guarantee that perfect house may not come on the market before April, and a creative agent might be able to craft an offer that would work for you even with your timeline. You need to find an agent that specializes in buyers and their needs. Try NAEBA for a list of exclusive buyers agents in your area. Interview as many as you can and try to find one you really connect with BEFORE you start going to open houses. Going without an agent is always potentially dangerous--both for your negotiating position and the compensation for your agent. Have fun and find a great house!!
- Eric Bard, "Eric Bard"
- Contributions:65
Lots of great and thoughtful advice being forwarded to you by my peers. I'd only add that you ask any agents you like for references. Just take a deep breath and also take your time. While buying a home is a major expense, it should also be fun. Good luck to you.
- John Stevens, "Brokerstevens"
- Contributions:31
Well, what can I say? Pretty much all great advice. To Review:
1) Find yourself a Realtor, tell him or her want your looking for and set up an automatic email delivery on homes that meet your wants and needs.
2) Get your financing in order: Find out how much you can and want to borrow. Ask for a commitment letter from your lender.
3) Do as many drive buys as you can from the listings sent along by your agent.
4) By the month of March you should be ready to start taking a closer look at some homes youv'e been keeping a eye on.
Keep the Faith
1) Find yourself a Realtor, tell him or her want your looking for and set up an automatic email delivery on homes that meet your wants and needs.
2) Get your financing in order: Find out how much you can and want to borrow. Ask for a commitment letter from your lender.
3) Do as many drive buys as you can from the listings sent along by your agent.
4) By the month of March you should be ready to start taking a closer look at some homes youv'e been keeping a eye on.
Keep the Faith
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2579
Start going to open houses in your target areas (if you weren't in TX I would tell you to monitor what they sell for), get as informed as you can about the market, use the library as well as the internet (once again difficult since TX is a non-disclosure state on transaction prices), evaluate how much you want to spend then find a lender you trust to validate that you can spend that much and a pre-qualification letter at the amount you decided not the maximum the lender says you can qualify for.
At that point you are ready to contact some agents and interview them with your BS alarm set to full sensitivity. Finding an agent is easy, finding a buyers agent that is not primarily a sales person and is capable of providing the professional services that would benefit a buyer that will paid on commission by the seller is extremely difficult. It is as much caveat emptor (buyer beware) on the services of a buyers agent as it is a listing agent and seller. An honest agent that is capable of being a buyers agent will understand and support your need to "play your cards close to the vest" with regard to their buyers agent services.
If you won't be in a position to actually buy before April (the availability of your downpayment is an important criteria in your mortgage credit pre-qualification), I would suggest April. It may take several months after that, but there is no sense anticipating and potentially get burned.
At that point you are ready to contact some agents and interview them with your BS alarm set to full sensitivity. Finding an agent is easy, finding a buyers agent that is not primarily a sales person and is capable of providing the professional services that would benefit a buyer that will paid on commission by the seller is extremely difficult. It is as much caveat emptor (buyer beware) on the services of a buyers agent as it is a listing agent and seller. An honest agent that is capable of being a buyers agent will understand and support your need to "play your cards close to the vest" with regard to their buyers agent services.
If you won't be in a position to actually buy before April (the availability of your downpayment is an important criteria in your mortgage credit pre-qualification), I would suggest April. It may take several months after that, but there is no sense anticipating and potentially get burned.
- Guy Gimenez, "Broker and Investor"
- Contributions:58
I would recommend you start researching agents now, interview them in January and secure one by February. I would, at a minimum, seek out an agent who holds the Certified Residential Specialist designation since this designation is held by a small number of agents throughout the U.S. I wouldn't interview less than 3 agents and perhaps as many as 5, before hiring one. Not all agents are equal and it's truly a buyer beware scenario when hiring an agent...you often don't know what you'll get.
You should look for more than just a "door opener" type agent. You want someone who understands contracts / addenda, title commitments, deeds, surveys, etc. and can prove it to you through some in-depth questioning.
Guy E. Gimenez ABR, CRS, GRI
Broker / Owner
[contact information removed by Zillow moderator]
You should look for more than just a "door opener" type agent. You want someone who understands contracts / addenda, title commitments, deeds, surveys, etc. and can prove it to you through some in-depth questioning.
Guy E. Gimenez ABR, CRS, GRI
Broker / Owner
[contact information removed by Zillow moderator]
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I would ask an agent to send you all listings and sales in your target neighborhoods so that you can start to develop an idea of what houses go pending quickly and what prices are reasonable for specific properties. I would not look at any houses in person at all before you can comfortably and actually buy, but email lists are free and easy for any agent.
Do not sign a buyers representation agreement with anyone before you are ready to buy. Things change and once you are a "guaranteed" client, you may find that you are with the wrong agent unable to leave. Until you are ready to make an offer or actively look at houses in person, sign nothing. You can find some good agents in San Antonio. Choose 4-5, read their posts and reviews to see how you feel and then call several to see if you find someone who you feel good about and is willing to send you a list.
Tell them that you will call them back when you decide that you are ready. After you speak to your target list of agents, then choose one and ask for their help in setting up an alert for sold listings and new listings. Choosing a good, honest agent in Texas is important because the fact that it is a non disclosure state makes outside information hard to get. You need an agent that is willing to tell the truth and provide the facts.
Do not sign a buyers representation agreement with anyone before you are ready to buy. Things change and once you are a "guaranteed" client, you may find that you are with the wrong agent unable to leave. Until you are ready to make an offer or actively look at houses in person, sign nothing. You can find some good agents in San Antonio. Choose 4-5, read their posts and reviews to see how you feel and then call several to see if you find someone who you feel good about and is willing to send you a list.
Tell them that you will call them back when you decide that you are ready. After you speak to your target list of agents, then choose one and ask for their help in setting up an alert for sold listings and new listings. Choosing a good, honest agent in Texas is important because the fact that it is a non disclosure state makes outside information hard to get. You need an agent that is willing to tell the truth and provide the facts.
- John King, "John_King"
- Contributions:425
Samuel,
Great question. You will get about 989 answers on here pretty quick, so watch out...here we come!
Josh is right, spend a little time now talking to agents, making sure you pick one that you can communicate with.
For example, if you text a lot, getting an agent that hates cellphones and all this "new fangled interweb stuff" might not be the right fit for you.
The agent you choose should have time for you now, not just when you have the money saved up.... This would include dropping by the office (with an appointment of course) and going over important items to expect when the day finally comes that you ARE in a position to buy.
I went to a couples house a while back, and wound up sitting on there front porch for about 3 hours or so just chatting and getting to know them over some tea. Seems like along time.... but it was a pleasure and we remain frends to this day.
Also, now is a great time to pull your OWN credit report to make sure it is correct. I was a victim of identity theft a few years ago, and it did through a wrench into our plans, but we finally got it taken care of and they actually caught the person.
By the way, pulling your own credit report will not "ding it".
Speak to a loan officer, and get a preliminary idea of what you're looking at. Discuss your current debt and income, they will have tips to help you get everything in order beforehand. And as you get closer, they can get you pre-approved, and have all of your paperwork ready to turn in. That way, you're not wasting time looking at the wrong ones, and the approval is a snap.
Call around now, ask friends & family if they have any referrals, etc.
Get setup with automatic updates for the areas you're thinking about. Do some drive bys (don't walk up to the homes, they could be occupied) to make sure the neighborhoods you're looking at are the right ones for you and your family.
By the time "The Day" comes around, you'll know what is a properly priced home for the area you like, and that in itself will take away a lot of the pressure.
Anyway, good luck and best wishes.
Great question. You will get about 989 answers on here pretty quick, so watch out...here we come!
Josh is right, spend a little time now talking to agents, making sure you pick one that you can communicate with.
For example, if you text a lot, getting an agent that hates cellphones and all this "new fangled interweb stuff" might not be the right fit for you.
The agent you choose should have time for you now, not just when you have the money saved up.... This would include dropping by the office (with an appointment of course) and going over important items to expect when the day finally comes that you ARE in a position to buy.
I went to a couples house a while back, and wound up sitting on there front porch for about 3 hours or so just chatting and getting to know them over some tea. Seems like along time.... but it was a pleasure and we remain frends to this day.
Also, now is a great time to pull your OWN credit report to make sure it is correct. I was a victim of identity theft a few years ago, and it did through a wrench into our plans, but we finally got it taken care of and they actually caught the person.
By the way, pulling your own credit report will not "ding it".
Speak to a loan officer, and get a preliminary idea of what you're looking at. Discuss your current debt and income, they will have tips to help you get everything in order beforehand. And as you get closer, they can get you pre-approved, and have all of your paperwork ready to turn in. That way, you're not wasting time looking at the wrong ones, and the approval is a snap.
Call around now, ask friends & family if they have any referrals, etc.
Get setup with automatic updates for the areas you're thinking about. Do some drive bys (don't walk up to the homes, they could be occupied) to make sure the neighborhoods you're looking at are the right ones for you and your family.
By the time "The Day" comes around, you'll know what is a properly priced home for the area you like, and that in itself will take away a lot of the pressure.
Anyway, good luck and best wishes.
- Gina Nyland
- Contributions:33
It's never too early to secure representation. A buyer's agent is more than a door opener. A good buyer's agent will want to be involved during the entire process...from the time you start speaking with a lender. I would suggest finding an agent who has successfully helped first-time home buyers and is willing to sit down with you (before looking at homes) to educate you on what to expect.
You can contact me through my Zillow profile at any time.
What an exciting time in your life! You'll never forget buying your first home. Good luck.
Gina Nyland, REALTOR®, GRI, e-PRO
Exclusive Buyer's Agent
The Nyland Team
Prudential Texas Realty
- Josh Rudzek, "RudzekGroup"
- Contributions:3
We're in a buyer's Market. Typically my buyers spend 1-2 months looking actively for homes. A good buyer's agent will sent you up with an email campaign of homes that fit your criteria much earlier than that though. And be happy to do it. The only fear is that if you find something you love early, you might not be able to get it. As an agent in Oregon, I would say find the agent now and let them send the emails but just be window shopping so you know what the market is like. You don't have to use his/her time to drive around and see the neighborhoods.
Are you looking to close as soon as your down payment is available? (April) Remember it could take over a month to close depending on your financing. So take that into account.
Are you looking to close as soon as your down payment is available? (April) Remember it could take over a month to close depending on your financing. So take that into account.
How soon do I need to contact a buyer's agent?
Thank you in advance
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