Home purchasing: A beginners guide to finding your dream home

by Teri Bruinsma 08/26/2024

How to start your dream home purchasing journey   featured image

Purchasing a home is a big commitment that can positively impact you and your household for years to come. Going into the home purchasing process with the right game plan can help you navigate your search and find the home of your dreams.

Ready to get started? Great! Let’s go.

Examine your needs 

First, examine what you want and need from your next home purchase. For example, you may want to make sure your next property has enough space to accommodate your household’s hobbies. Do you need a workshop for your 3D print area? Maybe you just need a storage room to store odds and ends, so repurposing a closet or half of a room would do. 

You may also want to consider the location of the potential home you may be interested in and your plans for the near future before making a purchase. If you have kids in your household, it may be beneficial for the home to be in proximity to a good school system. 

Get pre-approved for a home loan

Getting a pre-approval letter puts power in your hand as a potential homebuyer. This letter signifies your financial background has been checked out by a lender, and they’ve deemed you a good candidate for their loan. 

This letter gives you the opportunity to negotiate with home sellers because with it, it demonstrates you’re a serious homebuying prospect. 

Collaborate with a real estate agent

Hiring a real estate agent is worth the extra expense during the homebuying process. Agents bring knowledge of the local real estate market and can help you identify areas with homes meeting your needs - especially if you’re on the fence about where to start. 

They can provide MLS access, guide you through the paperwork needed in the process and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the best deal for your purchase. 


About the Author
Author

Teri Bruinsma

Real Estate is my PASSION! Let me be your personal assistant to help you buy or sell your next home. 

Having 35+ years in sales I know what it takes to be successful in purchasing your new home. TIMING is a HUGE factor. If you are a first-time home buyer and are unsure of what it takes to buy a home, give me a call and I'd be happy to meet with you in person and walk you through the buying process. 

Do you want TOP DOLLAR for your home sale?! I will help you stage your home to appeal to the most amount of Buyers. Thus, generating multiple offers and getting you a higher price for your home. Many Realtors offer this service, however, they charge to have a stager help you. I AM the stager, and this service is included when you work with me. On average, a STAGED home sells for 6-8% more than a vacant or unstaged home.