Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance
LOVELAND – Spring is coming! This typically means more homes for sale and more people looking to buy. As a home buyer, you should know a few important things about buying in this market.
Get your pre-approval updated
With the new year are new mortgage limits and other changes that may impact your mortgage pre-approval. If you first received your pre-approval months ago, it’s time to get it updated. Knowing how much you can afford is so important and will save you time and energy in your house hunting.
Monitor new listings
Although there are more homes for sale in the spring, there are also more home buyers to compete with. Ask your real estate agent to send you email alerts on any new listings matching your criteria. This will ensure that you don’t miss an opportunity for a house that may be the perfect fit.
Don’t be scared to act
Imagine that it’s your first day out viewing homes and you find the perfect one. Will your first thought be that it’s simply too soon to buy and that you should probably see more homes first? If so, you may find yourself filled with regret later on if that home you loved sells before you can make a decision.
Regardless of when you come across the right home, whether it’s the first house you see or the 40th house you see, don’t be scared to act. Given the competition in the market, even when you do decide to act, you may not win against other buyers. So, don’t pass up an opportunity by not going to the table with an offer to begin with.
Work with an experienced Realtor
Having the right Realtor can make a world of difference. Your real estate agent can help you effectively negotiate offers/contracts based on the specific situation. They can discuss different strategies and scenarios with you. These days, offers are about more than just price. Your agent understands that and can help you leverage other terms in your offer to get you the home of your dreams with terms that you are comfortable with.
Suzanne Plewes is a Broker Associate at RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland. If you have questions regarding real estate, please write to
750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, call 970.290.0373 or e-mail [email protected].
