First Time Buyer and the Home Buying Process: What to Know

This is a story about a first time buyer and the home buying process. The home buyer’s first instincts were not the most ideal for buying a home, but things turned out well in the story of this first time home buyer — here’s why.

This is a story about a first time buyer and the home buying process. The home buyer’s first instincts were not the most ideal for buying a home, but things turned out well — here’s why.

Looking at Houses Too Soon

Most first time home buyers think the best way to buy a home is to look at homes. In reality, the best way to start the home buying process is to speak to a mortgage provider. It could be a bank, credit union, or mortgage banker. Someone like Sarah Ellis at Assurance Financial can spend just a few minutes with a buyer and put them on the right track to knowing exactly how much they can afford.

Because the buyer went looking too soon, they began looking in the wrong price range, which was higher than what they were qualified for and were disappointed at first with the homes in their price range.

Counseling Session with Your Real Estate Agent

At first, the buyer did not think it was necessary to have a counseling session with their real estate agent. The counseling session is essential for the agent to become an equal partner in the home search and buying process. This is where the agent asks the first time buyer questions like why they are buying a home, if they have spoken to a lender, what are their needs, what are their wants and preferences. If an agent knows the big picture, we can be more of an asset to the first time home buyer, not just a direction follower.

Excitement — Delay — Disappointment — Excitement

In our continuing story of a first time home buyer, the buyer found a house that was in their price range, and it met most of their needs and wants. However, the buyer took too long to think about it and another offer was accepted. So we continued searching.

Our first time home buyer was very excited to look at more homes, so excited they forgot to tell their agent and went to an open house and spoke with the listing agent. The first time buyer told the listing agent how much they loved the home and were getting desperate to find the perfect home and their house was the one. The first time home buyer did tell the listing agent they had their own agent, which was good, but unfortunately most of the negotiating power was lost.

“My Cousin Can Do the Inspection”

Many first time home buyers do not have much extra cash so they are hesitant to hire a professional inspector, like Kiel Harton with HDMK Home Inspection in the Baton Rouge area. Luckily, they listened to advice, had an inspection, and resisted the temptation to have a cousin come by and take a look at it after work one day.

Sometimes You Should Just Pay an Expert

And to bring the story of our first time buyer and the home buying process to an end, the buyer was very hesitant to use the services of qualified title attorneys, like Johnny McKay at Cypress Title, to prepare the necessary paperwork to buy the home. It can be a pretty complicated process, one that should not be left in the hands of a family friend that does not specialize in residential real estate.

All in all things turned out well in the story of the first time home buyer because first time buyers do trust their real estate agents and are very willing to do what they are advised to do by the experts in the world of real estate. Because of this, I love first time buyers.

If you are a first time buyer and need some guidance, please visit my website at scottsaporito.com or coldwellbankerone.com. I would love to help you.

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Scott Saporito, CRS, ABR

Scott is a real estate professional working in the Greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area in Louisiana with six years of experience in helping his clients achieve their real estate goals. Utilizing knowledge gained from his background in marketing, advertising and project management, he enjoys working with investors, first time buyers and those wishing to sell those “difficult to sell” properties. Scott’s interests include technology and current events and how they affect real estate. When he’s not working, he enjoys rooting for the LSU Tigers and playing tennis. For more information on Scott, please visit www.scott.saporito.com and his Wordpress Blog at saporitorealtor.wordpress.com.