Buying a home is personal and emotional. So the relationship with your real estate agent has to be built on expertise, trust and mutual respect. After all, they will be acting as your eyes, ears and voice throughout the process. They have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests, to be completely transparent and accountable to you. Here’s what a Royal LePage agent will do:
- Educate you about the current market conditions
- Discuss and analyze your wants and needs against your budget
- Guide you to homes that fit your criteria
- Coordinate the work of other professionals you’ll need during the process
- Negotiate with the seller on your behalf
- Make sure all the required paperwork is fully completed, accurate and that deadlines are met
- Work with you to resolve any challenges that may arise
And while your agent will likely be a great source of advice on financing, it is ultimately your responsibility to understand and secure it.
So, let’s move on to financing…
Step 3: Understanding Financing
Like many things in life, planning ahead is the key to success. So, you should know the price range you can afford before you start shopping. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Down payment – this is usually the percentage of the total cost of a home that you’ll need to pay. The more money you put down, the more money you’ll save on monthly payments and, in the long run, interest paid
- Knowing what you can afford – how much house you can afford comes down to 3 factors: your monthly mortgage payment, your down payment and the amortization period or length of time it will take to pay off the loan
- Getting pre-approved – this will really help you figure out what you can spend on a home because you’ll know before you start shopping. And you’ll be protected against rising interest rates as well
