The real estate industry is a hot topic in the media these days, and Homes.com, along with St. Louis-area agent Allen Brake, will be featured in an upcoming episode of TLC’s hit show, “My First Home.” Homes.com scored an interview with Brake in which he discussed the do’s and don’ts for first-time buyers. Here are some of his tips:
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Interview a Variety of Professionals. Brake suggested that every first-time homebuyer take the time and look for a good pro. Homes.com & Real Estate Agent Allen Brake Help Couple Find a Place of Their Own on TLC’s “My First Home”. He mentioned that a seasoned agent with a great track record will have a better chance of helping the customer find what they are looking for.
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Talk to Various Mortgage Lenders. Different numbers vary from lender to lender, so Brake recommends that first-time homebuyers talk to several mortgage lenders. By doing so, they will receive a range of estimates, allowing them to weigh their options.
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Use a Mortgage Calculator. Your customers who are first-time homebuyers should be made aware of this handy tool. Just as Brake mentioned, it will be helpful to them by providing a way to check and see what they can afford on a monthly basis. Inform them about Homes.com’s mortgage calculator as well as other mobile apps that may be of use to them in their search.
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Don’t Wait for the “Perfect House.” Some of your clients will come to you looking for the perfect dream home that they have always wanted. According to Brake, an essential tool that your customers will need to learn how to do is prioritize their wants and needs, then look for their needs first. Direct them to the Homes.com House Hunting Checklist so they can be sure that the home they are looking at meets their needs.
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Look at the Bigger Picture. Many of your clients may be looking for a house because they just need a place to call home or need more room for an expanding family. While this is true, it is crucial that they understand that buying a house is an investment that comes along with cost. Be sure that your clients understand what it takes to move forward with their purchase and that they have some money saved up for a down payment, closing costs, and for inevitable homeowner expenses.
These five tips, along with five more featured in Brake’s video (below), could prove to be very useful to you while assisting your customers in their decision-making process. Keep in mind that although your client is a first-time homebuyer, they know what will best suit their needs at that particular time. Be sure to tune into TLC to catch Homes.com and real estate pro Allen Brake on “My First Home” on April 26th at 12:30 pm Eastern/11:30 am Central!
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