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Buying Your First Home This Fall? Your First Three Must-Do Tasks

boston real estate Boston real estate agents are making their way back from the Cape getting ready to put up some For Sale signs.  The Fall real estate market is here.  According to Realtors, it officially begins the day after Labor Day.  The general expectation is for a vibrant, busy and tight real estate market in Brookline, Boston and Newton in the coming months.

First time home buyers lead the market, and more them are taking the plunge.   Going about it correctly will make the difference between a good or bad investment, a positive or negative experience.  If you are considering making this fall market your opportunity to buy, here are your three must-do tasks.  Do these three things, and you’ll be well positioned in the busy market.

  1. Hire a buyer’s agent.  There are many ways to find an buyer’s agent, and trust me; there are a lot of us.  You can ask a friend for a recommendation, meet agents at open houses or call on some advertising.  But whatever you do, hire someone after a thorough interview and once you’ve made a genuine connection.  It is more important you work with an agent you feel understands your needs and respects your pace, rather than your friends’ recommendation for his cousin’s neighbor’s mom.
  2. Get Pre-Approved!  A pre-qualification does not count.  Speak with a human mortgage broker (rather than simple online forms), and learn what you need to do to finance a home.  Once you speak with a professional and knowledgeable mortgage broker, you’ll be much wiser.  Furthermore, having a pre-approval in hand is a solid foundation for making offers.  Don’t guess how much you can spend and hope to get everything done later.  It doesn’t work.
  3. Prepare for a big change in your life.  I’ve worked with many first time home buyers over the past ten years.  Buying your first home is a time of great change.  And although it is a change for the better, the task can be daunting.  Break it down to small pieces.  Focus on each stage of the home buying process, such as looking at homes, or inspection.  If you’ve done task one and two, the whole process will feel manageable, and you will have a team working with you to make it all happen.

If you are ready to take advantage of low mortgage rates and a rising real estate market, buying your first home can prove a terrific investment.  Take a deep breath, and say hello to the Boston real estate.

  • Donna Hollins says:

    Ruth is the best real estate agent in MA… and based on my experiences, she is one of the best nationally as well. She helped me in the process of purchasing my first home. And subsequently helped me sell that home, and buy & sell another home in MA. Her tips are right on target. And if you have the opportunity to work with Ruth, you will have a wonderful experience!

  • Thanks, Donna! Working with you on those Brighton condos was such a blast! You made some very timely and smart investments….and the market has gone full circle since.

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