Time to go shopping

Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you.

Get to know the neighborhoods or subdivisions in your price range which interest you. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.

Is a level backyard a must? Is the school system a priority? Are you open to major vs minor renovations? Does it need to be in walking distance to green space? Would you prioritize a large closet or an extra bathroom? Do you prefer the character of older homes or the look of newer ones? Determine your needs vs wants and consider how these fit your budget. Most of the time you will have to make some compromises on your wishlist, but discussing these preferences will help your agent be on the same page.

Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long term resale value of the properties you are considering.

Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property. An agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you a competitive advantage over another offer.

An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

• Stick to the schedule. Now that your offer has been accepted, you and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations so that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated, so you will always be prepared for the next step.
• Communication between the buyer and seller should be handled by the agents as moderators. Sometimes it is beneficial for buyer and seller to meet prior to closing with their agents present, but when the two parties negotiate terms or the sale of personal property without their agents present, it is a recipe for disaster and could result in a fallthrough, or worse, a lawsuit.