condo Archives - Maura Allard Realtor

What you need to Know

Your lease renewal is coming up and you have decided you are tired of paying someone else’s mortgage. The time has come to buy your first home. Whether it is a studio, condo or single-family — the first step in the home buying process is to get pre-approved. While it is oh-so-very tempting to just log on to the computer and fill a form out, I strongly advise finding a local, reputable mortgage company with a loan officer who will spend the time with you.

It is important that the loan officer pulls your credit and reviews your taxes and pay-stubs. They should take the time to explain how the mortgage process works, and review closing costs and escrow accounts with you. Your loan officer should make themselves available to you to run numbers with you on houses that interest you. Feeling comfortable with your monthly mortgage payment is VERY important and it should be foremost in the mind of you, your Realtor and your loan officer.

If you are ready to start looking at homes and need a recommendation for a loan officer, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I would be happy to provide you with some names.

If I could coin one phrase I have been hearing repeatedly for the last two years is “I’m afraid we will be homeless”. Many people are ready to sell their home and either purchase a larger home, downsize to a smaller home or condo or just relocate to another area. What is stopping them from pulling the trigger on the listing? FEAR! Fear of their home selling days upon listing it and not being able to secure a new property to move to.

This is a real fear and a justified one, because in this busy market with low inventory securing a new home with a home sale contingency can be challenging. When I work sellers I encourage them to list their home with the contingency for the seller to find suitable housing. This will buy you some time, but there will be an end date so a plan B will be necessary. Sellers need to have a backup plan. Renting on a month to month basis and a storage unit should be your plan B. Nobody likes to move twice but moving twice may be better than feeling pressured to buy a home you don’t really LOVE and you should LOVE your home.

Thinking of selling, but scared where you’ll go? Let’s start talking!