What are my first steps to buying a home?

Profile picture for Chey2
I am looking to buy the home I am currently renting and would like to know what my first step should be.
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May 04 2010 - Phoenix
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Answers (19)

First get preapproved by a lender then interview different agents.
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May 09 2010
Chevy,

Good Evening.

Most everyone is giving you solid advise. Reaching areas, shapes, styles and layouts is key, however, those steps will not be put into play, until you are pre-appoved my a lender and understand the complete picture of loans, payments and terms. Then and only then, when you have a full understanding of what it is going to cost you, upfront and monthly do you
move forward. If you are still going to pursue purchasing a home, you not only want to find a full time REALTOR, but perhaps interview a couple of
them. More than years in the business, fancy cars and where they specialize in, you need to relate with them. As you will be working with them until your transaction is complete. Finding a specialist in the East
Valley, is important, but finding a real estate agent, that you can  relate
to is also very helpful, this is a big purchase. W

We are not permitted to "self promote" here on Zillow, however most agents will have all of their contact information available, just click on their names.

I hope that helps. 

Also, you can and should also shop around for lenders, you do not have
to go with the first one you talk to, just like an real estate agent.

Have a BEAUTIFUL night.

-Shawn 






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May 08 2010
Profile picture for paulsap
Call me and I will set up up with a mortgage broker from Bank of America to get pre-approved.  Then we will go look at homes for sale.

Thanks,
Paul Saperstein
561-251-5296
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May 08 2010
Profile picture for Paula Connolly
I recommend first securing a preapproval so that you are sure you know your price range.  Decide on which towns/areas you would like to begin your search, unless you already know.  Then call a reputable, experienced full time Realtor.  I know an excellent Realtor in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area I would be happy to put you in contact with.  She would be happy to help you with your home search and all the many questions you'll have along the way....
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May 08 2010
When you decide on a price range, most Realtors will be happy to do a search for you in the area you are interested in.  This search will come to your email and include descriptions, photos and pricing information.  We can also notify you when a new listing comes on the market in that area.  Good luck with your search!

Kathy DeAngelis
Realty Executives
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May 06 2010
Profile picture for Arizona Homes Land
Dear Chey:

First of all determine your price range and go to a lender and get pre-qualified. Any offer you make must have a pre-qualification letter with it to substantiate your offer. Next review the "Buyers Advisory" from the Arizona Department of Real Estate. This important document reviews everything that a buyer needs to know and where to find the information. You may go to their website or Realtors like me can provide the Buyers Advisory. Next select a Realtor. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations.

May I wish you the best.

Regards, Jeff

Jeff Masich, Realtor
Arizona Homes and Land
HomeSmart Realty
Scottsdale
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for smilewithme
Hi Chey2,
You are so smart to ask your question here.  There are so many folks who just contact thier friends and get a whole bunch of confusing answers.  I would agree with the others to find a good agent who might be able to guide you to a knowledgeable loan officer.  A knoweledgeable loan officer will let you know what costs migh be associated with your loan, for example, home owners insurance and taxes, PMI, points and other costs.  The loan office should be able to give you the big picture of monthly costs and what you can affordably pay each month. And best of all the a good loan officer should be able to help improve your credit score to get you the best interest rates possible. Having a preapproval letter of funds available before you start looking for a home is the smartest yet, as that shows the seller you are serious and gives you a great bargaining advantage when it comes to negotiating on your dream home. 
There are many loan officers available.  But most realtors who have been in the business a while, will be able to recommend a good loan agent to assist you. Call a realtor 1st, that's my advice, and good luck with buying your home!  
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for jdsdaddy
First step should be to figure out if buying the home would actually be cheaper than renting it. 
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for Nancy Braam
Hi Chey,

Good answers below. You have to know how you look to the lender and a realtor can help you pick a good one. Even if you aren't quite un-to-speed now, you can find out what you need to do to get there and lay a plan.

I know a great realtor in Phoenix, if you haven't talked to one, it's a good place to start.
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for KristiCoy
I agree with Bill except I would first contact a Realtor in your area and ask them for suggestions on who to use as a loan officer. Often buyers come to me after going online and connecting with a mortgage broker off the web that they don't know who quotes them a purchase price and interest rate. But what they don't always tell them is that the interest rate will cost them three points in fees. A good, experienced Realtor knows which loan officers are experienced and can be trusted.
   And having a pre-approval letter will often put you in first place for consideration should you find yourself in a multi-offer situation (which happens now--the market is moving in many places, nationwide).
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May 04 2010
Start with a mortgage consult.  Get to know how much you can spend.
Start there!

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May 04 2010
Profile picture for nwhome.us
Zillow has a great write up of the first steps here.
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for Ofe Polack
Even before I became a realtor, I first found a realtor and they were able to put me in touch with a lender.  I would say, find yourself a buyer agent, and he/she will put you in touch with a few lenders.  Good luck! 
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for NormRice
Interviewing mortgage brokers or lenders, and getting pre-approved are indeed important first steps.  I would propose however that you don't lock yourself into purchasing the home you are currently renting prior to first exploring the reasons you want this particular home and taking the time to seriously explore other homes that may meet your needs and priorities.  If you are married or have a partner, are both of you on the same page?  So often I have seen and heard buyers express that they wish they would have done more exploring prior to purchasing the home they were renting.  From that experience I would highly recommend that if you haven't already, become familiar with what is in the area of the home you are currently renting.  See the help of an active Realtor.  He or she may also have some recommendations from personal experience of lenders or mortgage brokers that may be a good fit for you.  Purchasing Real Estate works best when it is a team effort on the part of yourself, your family, your mortgage broker and your Realtor.
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for TLeeRealty
Great question and it's good to see someone be proactive about buying a home.  I agree with the others that you need to talk to a few lenders to see which one will work best with your needs.  I have a few that I could recommend to you if you need.  Also, here is a link to a page that gives you lots of great information that will be helpful to you as you start and go through the process.

http://www.tleerealty.com/Buying_a_Home/page_253994.html
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for Eugeneloanguy
I would agree that the first thing is to get pre-approved, however, it is not as simple as that. The first thing you need to do it interview lenders. Not all lenders are created equal. You should keep an eye on rate when shopping for a lender but that shouldn't be the only thing you are looking for. Find a lender you are comfortable working with, someone that you can trust, someone that knows what they are doing, then listen to the direction they give you.
It is very important to make that connection. Good luck.
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May 04 2010
First is pre approval form lender. You should then decide what neighborhood you are interested in and then find a local realtor to help you find the home.
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May 04 2010
Profile picture for GoingForIt
I completely agree with Denny. In fact, we won't show homes to a new client without first having an LSR (written loan pre-approval) from the client's mortgage lender. If you want the name of my preferred lender, a gentelman that is the best of the best, just email me.

All the best!

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May 04 2010
Profile picture for dennygiza
Hi


I recommend that you first get a pre-approval letter from a lender of your choice. With that in hand you'll know exactly how much home you can afford. Also, you'll be able to move quickly when you find the home you want to purchase.

Good Luck! 
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May 04 2010
 

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