5 Steps to Success for First Time Home Buyers in Huntsville, AL

1. Hire a Professional Realtor. House hunting can be time consuming. Having an agent will save you time. They can send you listings directly from the MLS that fit your wants/needs and you won't waste time looking at properties that might already be under contract. Realtors are also often aware of new listings that are not yet on the market. And while house hunting, there is no point in wasting your gas when an agent will pick you up and provide transportation. The advice you will receive from a qualified Realtor will be invaluable in the buying process.


2. Figure out what you're looking for. Searching for the right home can be overwhelming, especially if you're not even sure what you want. Come up with a list of must-haves and desires that you can present to your Realtor so that they can provide listings that fit those parameters.


3. Get a Home Loan. It is smart to get loan preapproval prior to making an offer on a house especially in a seller's market where you may be competing with other buyers. Sellers want assurance that you will be able to complete the purchase of the home.


4. Negotiate the offer. Don't make the mistake of comparing the sale price to other homes you have seen because the truth is, sellers can ask any amount they want. Your Realtor can provide you with comparable sales of similar houses in the same condition and location over the past few months. Keep in mind that you may have to pay more than the list price in a seller's market.


5. Do a home inspection. Some states will allow you to have a home inspection prior to making an offer on a home. In other states, the inspection becomes a contract contingency, meaning the buyer has the right to cancel the contract. Either way, you don't want to get locked into purchasing a home that has a faulty foundation, for example.