So you're ready to buy your first home, and everyone and their brother has advice for you, right? Here at Coldwell Banker Rizzo Mattson, Realtors, we know first-time home buying can be overwhelming. For our agents here in Central Maine, real estate isn't just a job; we chose this profession because we truly enjoy helping people through the whole process. And, we're good at it. Take a look at this quick checklist we came up with to assist you in getting started in your home search.
1. Find the Right Realtor for You
You'll be spending a lot of time with your Realtor and you should feel comfortable and confident with your choice. Whether we are friends for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, we always want you to feel you have the support you need. There are over 105 years of experience under the Coldwell Banker umbrella and a wealth of knowledge in our Maine office.
2. Don't Be Afraid of What You Don't Know
During the process, there may be words and terms that are unfamiliar to you. You'll be looking for answers to many questions too. Recently, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development published '100 Questions & Answers about Buying a New Home'. That's a vast amount of information to digest, and we know all it isn't applicable to every buyer. Feel free to ask us as many questions as you'd like, and we'll make sure you know everything you need to. We do have a glossary of terms on our website, in case you want to impress all those well-meaning advice givers.
3. Make a Master List and Schedule
Everybody's timeframe is different, and we'll make sure we understand your individual needs. But sometimes when buying real estate, you have to accelerate the process a bit if your dream house becomes available. An organized 'to do' list and plan of events keep everything moving smoothly. We'll help you with the details so there are no surprises along the way.
4. Home Sweet Home
You're only a first-time buyer once, and the experience should be a memorable one - in a good way. While the process can seem daunting with so many practical, financial, and emotional decisions to be made, we want you to look back on this time fondly. This may be the biggest investment you ever make, and you deserve a positive outcome.
What's your definition of 'Happily Ever After'? Leave your comment!
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