Centre Realty Group
Tracy Johnson, Centre Realty GroupPhone: (617) 595-2600
Email: [email protected]

What to Do Before Buying a Home

by Tracy Johnson 04/10/2023

Buying a house is a complicated financial and logistical process. The right preparation can make a huge difference in making the process go as smoothly as possible. Here is a list of the most important things to do before buying a home to help you prepare:

Check Your Financials

There are a few financials you should check on before working on finding a house. Your potential mortgage lender will look through every detail of your financial life, so the more you can address beforehand, the better. Things to consider include your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, emergency savings and regular cash flow.

Create a Budget

The simplest way to budget for buying a house is to make a list of your current expenses. First, tally up your personal monthly expenses like credit card payments, loan payments, car payments and any other recurring expenses specific to you. Then, create a list of the expenses related to your new house. This list should include mortgage, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and mortgage insurance payments. Comparing the two will help you determine how much house you can afford and how much to budget for.

Get Pre-Approval

Shopping for the best mortgage lender before you begin your home search is a great way to stick to your budget and have a smoother buying process. Each lender has different terms, policies and practices, so finding the best fit is crucial. Once you decide on a lender, get a pre-approval letter from them as proof you are financially responsible for affording a mortgage up to a certain amount. This helps secure your place in competitive home sales and will make you a more attractive buyer overall.

Find an Agent

Working with a real estate professional during your home buying process will save you time and frustration. Find an agent or broker you want to work with first and rely on their expertise to find the perfect home. The knowledge and resources available to real estate professionals will make the search and purchase much smoother.

About the Author
Author

Tracy Johnson

With over 25 years of extensive real estate experience throughout the Boston and Metro West areas. Combine this with my ability to work smart and to not stop working until your needs are met and you get a broker that will help you make the right decisions when it comes to buying or selling your home.

Let my success work for you. I have been trusted to represent developers, builders, attorneys, financial planners, and many other professionals, selling condominiums, townhomes, new construction, investment, commercial properties, and of course single-family homes. I know your neighborhood.

I’m a problem solver and an excellent negotiator. Problems often arise that can stop a sale. I’ve solved many problems over the years and when I don’t have the answer I find an expert who does.
I offer first-class marketing I guarantee will work for you. I can tell you what you need to do to get your home sold quickly and for the best possible price.

If you are looking for a professional you can trust to help find your dream home or sell your current home, contact me today. If you are not completely satisfied with my service you can cancel any time. I am always available by phone or email, so please reach out to me anytime!
I am committed to getting you, the results you deserve.