If you are like many other first-time homebuyers in Norfolk, you may feel that the process is extremely complicated and the overall experience will simply be too overwhelming and stressful to get involved in. Saving up thousands of dollars for a down payment while paying for rent can be quite the challenge as well.

To those who have never gone through the home buying process, the unknown aspects of it can be prohibitive to the point of wanting to avoid it altogether and continue to rent instead. 

Just because you have never bought a home doesn’t mean that you never will. You simply need the right guidance and as much information as you can get your hands on. The more you know about the process, the more comfortable you will feel about it.

Our real estate agents can even make it fun! With other real estate agents, you may end up having a poor experience because they do not keep you well-informed and updated or they fail to answer your questions in a timely manner. Kelvin and April Reed will never leave you wanting for information!

First-Time Homebuyers in Norfolk Get an Advantage with Our Real Estate Agents

First-time homebuyers in Norfolk who are going through the home buying process need all of the information and resources available in order to make the best decisions for their families. Kelvin and April Reed have put together the following guide full of helpful hints and tips to make sure that you have all the information you need and are able to avoid some of the most common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make. 

With our helpful guide, you can rest assured that you will be able to buy your first home successfully. We make it as easy as possible. To get you started, here are the steps of the process you need to be aware of.

Before you start

Pre-Qualification: To begin, you will want to meet with an experienced mortgage broker. They can help determine the loan amount you can qualify for. This will help you budget and create a price target. 

Pre-Approval: In addition to being aware of how much you can reasonably afford for your first home, you should also get pre-approval for your mortgage. Having mortgage pre-approval means that you can approach a home seller with a Certificate of Approval which shows that your finances are in order and you are a serious home buyer. First-time homebuyers in Norfolk, VA, need to have as many advantages as possible to beat the competition, so mortgage pre-approval is definitely a necessity. The cost for this pre-approval is generally nominal, and many lenders will allow you to add the cost to your loan closing costs.

Representation by a professional real estate agent: You may want to consider hiring an experienced real estate agent to provide you the assistance and resources you need to help you through the process. It is especially useful to ensure that you have a professional keeping your interests in mind because you know the home seller will have a real estate agent representing them. 

Creating a System

Lists of needs and wants: Once you are ready to start looking for your new home, you will want to make two lists. The first list will be your needs – the items you MUST have in your home. This is usually things like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, one-story requirement, etc. Your second list should be your list of wants – the things that would be nice to have but aren’t absolutely necessary. This usually includes things like a pool, garage size, space for a home gym or office, etc. These lists can help you make your ultimate decision, but remember that you may not get everything you are wishing for. 

Focus and organization: As you will become well-aware, there are lots of things to keep track of, so you need to be well-organized. Some of the ways that you can ensure you stay focused on your real estate goal include: 

• Keeping detailed maps with highlighted areas of interest 
• Maintaining a list of the properties your real estate agent has already shown you
• Taking notes with a paper and pen (or digitally with an organization app) 
• Remembering your favorite homes and features with a camera and well-organized files of those photos 

House Hunting

Visualize the house with your decor: While you are viewing the homes, try to visualize your decor and furniture in it, especially with the layouts of the rooms and the light levels. 

Always remain objective: It can be very easy to start thinking with your heart rather than your head. Before you make your decision, be sure you are being as objective as possible. Does the home really meet your needs? Remember that there are plenty of housing options, so you do not need to rush your decision. Keep your emotions in check. 

Be thorough: When you buy a home (your first or your 10th), it is essential that you work to prevent expenses in the long run. Spending a few more dollars now can save you plenty of time, money, and frustration in the future. Some of the most critical ways you can ensure your home is in tip-top shape include: 

• Putting inspection and mortgage contingencies in your written offer
• Having the property thoroughly inspected by a professional home inspector
• Requesting a second walk-through within 24 hours of closing to make sure nothing has changed
• Making sure that no changes have been made which were not agreed on (i.e., a nice chandelier that you assumed came with the sale having been replaced by a cheap ceiling light)

Even though all of these steps may seem to make the process overwhelming, you should not worry. Our professional real estate agents Kelvin and April Reed are here to make sure your interests are always represented and none of the details are overlooked. 

First-Time Homebuyers in Norfolk Can Trust Our Experts!

First-time homebuyers often feel anxious or overwhelmed by the process, but they should know that there is hope for an easy and stress-free process. Our real estate agents, Kelvin and April Reed, are available to ensure that you do not feel stressed or worried about any aspect of the home buying process. With our expert assistance and all of the FREE resources we provide, you can feel confident that you will walk away with the perfect home for your family.

Give us a call today at (757) 799-4824 to discuss your first-time home buying needs and how to get through the process easily. You can also fill out the form below with the requested information, and you will receive a detailed response from one of our real estate experts. We love helping first-time homebuyers in Norfolk find the perfect home!