Jacksonville Florida Real Estate McMeekin

GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE

Getting a mortgage pre-approval will save yourself the grief of looking at homes you cannot afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right one. Don’t just get pre-qualified for a mortgage, which is based on a quick review of your finances, but get a pre-approval from a lender which is based on verification of your credit history, FICO scores, income assets and debts. This pre-approval will give confidence in the price range of the homes you are shopping. Also, your offer will be more competitive during negotiation when the seller knows you will be approved for a mortgage loan.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE WORKING WITH A GOOD LENDER

A professional Realtor can give you names of mortgage professionals who can cover in depth and discuss credit history, mortgage products, monthly housing payment, down payment amount, interest rates, and closing costs so you can have a smooth transition to your new home. Using a good lender in the local area who has a known track record of success also leads to fewer snags in the transition to your new home.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR AND LEARN THE MARKET

By hiring a full time professional Realtor you are getting their market knowledge which will save you time as a home buyer in focusing on the communities that suit your lifestyle best. It will also rid you of driving around aimlessly on weekends and scanning the weekend newspaper which robs you of valuable time. We are long time residents of Northeast Florida having lived here over 35 years and pride ourselves in being sensitive to your needs while adhering to the highest standards of integrity. We believe truly in our slogan: “Providing Golden Rule” Service.

MAKE A LIST OF "MUST HAVES" & "WANTS"

Many new home buyers mistakenly think that they will "just know" when they "walk into the one". While some buyers DO fall instantly in love with a home, this is not the norm. You'll find your search is easier, and you will be more confident in your decision, if you take a systematic approach to your search. The best way to organize your search is to make two lists: Your "must haves" and your "wants". Your "must haves" are the absolute necessities in your new home - in fact, you don't even need to view a home if it doesn't have every "must have". Great examples of your "must haves" are price, school district, size, etc.... Your "wants" are the qualities that you would like for your new home to have, but it's not a necessity. Great examples of "wants" are color, flooring, kitchen appliances, surround sound, and type of exterior. By taking the time to articulate what you need and want in your home, you will know exactly what to look for when viewing prospective homes.

PICK YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOODS

You can always make changes to your house, but you can never change its location. Most home buyers already have a good idea of where they would like to live because of school districts, work, or other factors. However, neighborhoods can be pretty different, even in the same area of the city. Ask your Real Estate Agent to email you a list of homes in the specific area of town you're interested in. Take a drive through the different neighborhoods on the list your Real Estate Agent send you, and choose your favorites. Pay attention to area amenities, how well the yards & common areas are kept, and if you see a lot of "for lease" signs - which can be an indication of a heavy rental area, and lacking in "pride of ownership". After you have picked your favorite neighborhoods, and you know your "must haves" and "wants", you can literally make a list of EVERY home available that meets your criteria, and view those homes.

MAKE YOUR DECISION!!!

Homebuyers often hesitate after they've found the right home because they're not confident about their decision, or their decision-making process. Your home is probably the largest investment of your life, and it's normal to feel butterflies in your stomach before putting your first home under contract. However, if you do your due diligence - and you have if you followed the steps above - then you will have your bases covered. If you've found a home that meets all of your "must haves", most of your "wants", is in the right neighborhood, and in your budget - it's the home for you! Don't wait and let another buyer take YOUR home!

HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR

Appraisals are not home inspections. A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information than an appraisal. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems
identify items that need to be repaired or replaced
estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes

You will get a detailed report on the condition of the structural components, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation, ventilation, air conditioning, and interiors. By getting a home inspection you are being an informed buyer. An inspection can be arranged before signing the contract or after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection.

DON’T LET YOUR EMOTIONS TAKE OVER

During and after a home inspection keep a cool head. Remember to be realistic since no home is perfect and this is especially true when dealing with an older home. It is not unusual for new owners to take care of some repairs themselves so don’t let the seller’s refusal to do a small repair kill the deal on a home you truly love. However, do remember don’t fall in love with the house you will buy no matter what needs to be done unless you are sure you can handle it emotionally and financially. Decide what type of repairs you can realistically tackle then stick with the decision.

BUILDING A HOME

Many people prefer new construction but wrongly think the builder will give a better price for the home without the Realtor. Builders charge you the same price whether you have an agent or not. The builder’s agent works for the builder and your Realtor will work for your best interest. We will work as a buyer’s agent directly for you. If you are looking for a new community not yet listed in the MLS give us a call or send an email for more information.