Spring is definitely one of the busiest seasons to buy a home. As the temperature rises, more home buyers come out of the woodwork to inspect what’s available in the housing markets they’re interested in.
Purchasing a house during this period can lead you to face a daunting amount of competition, but don’t worry! With the right preparation and these tips, you can find the home of your dreams and start fresh this spring.
- Be ready with a budget and a mortgage pre-approval.
Use the quiet time of winter to assess your financial capability and determine what you can afford and how much house you can purchase.
Winter is also a good time to consult with your bank regarding your credit rating. If it needs improvement, do what needs to be done so you’re ready when spring comes calling.
While you’re at it, examine your mortgage options and start the application for a mortgage pre-approval. This can take some time, so the earlier you start the process, the better.
- Contact your chosen real estate agent.
With more home buyers out looking for houses in spring, real estate professionals can get busy in no time. To make sure you’re well-represented by a local real estate agent, search ahead of time and finalize the contract as soon as possible.
As always, you can begin your search online by typing in the relevant keywords. If you’d like, you can also schedule a consultation with me at [email protected] or 440-823-2448 once you’re done reading this blog post.
- Make sure you have the 20% down payment ready.
Credit score, real estate agent, and mortgage pre-approval aside, make sure you have enough funds saved to make a 20% down payment.
Although it is entirely possible to purchase a home by putting less than 20%, it is not always recommended. For one, you’ll have to make bigger payments. Second, sellers often require buyers with less than 20% down payment to buy a private mortgage insurance, and that can be costly.
So before you buy a home come springtime, use the time before that to save for the down payment and even emergencies.
- Have a 5-year plan.
With a lot of homes being listed in the market every spring, you will be inundated with a lot of options. It can be easy to lose track of what really matters.
To make sure you are focused, have a 5-year plan prepared before you join the throng of spring home buyers. Carefully examine your motivation behind buying and where you would like to see yourself five years from now.
Having a 5-year plan also allows you to look at home values objectively. That period is enough time for a house to appreciate. Consult with your real estate agent about homes and housing markets where you can earn reasonable returns on your investment.
Spring may be the time you find your dream home
Let’s make sure that happens! Work with a top realtor in Cleveland to fully explore Cleveland real estate this spring. Contact me today at michellemcquade(at)howardhanna(dotted)com or 440.823.2448.