Homes for sale in Houston

The ball in Times Square hasn't dropped yet, and even if you're not planning to get "serious" about shopping until the spring, if buying a home is one of your New Year's resolutions for 2018, now is a great time to start preparing.

With some preliminary steps of buying a home behind you, you'll be ready to hit the ground running when the temperatures - and the market - heat up in the new year.

Unless you'll be paying cash for your next purchase, you'll want to take the time now to prepare your finances for the mortgage process. Before hiring an agent, booking showings, and conversations about where the couch could go, determining your budget, checking your credit, saving for a down payment, and shopping for - and getting preapproved for - a mortgage is the first step in the process.

Skipping this step would be like going to the grocery store, getting to the checkout line with a cart full of groceries, only to discover that you've forgotten your wallet: you think you're all ready to buy, but you can't.

If you're serious about buying a house, get your financial "house" in order, first.

The internet is a great resource for viewing homes for the initial stages of your search. Your research can teach you a lot about how much house your budget will allow, how far your dollar will go in a town or area, and how much extra you might pay for your preferred amenities.

Soon, you'll become well-versed in what's "a deal," what's "fair market value," and what's "aggressively priced." Town, school, and general real estate market information can be accessed online, allowing you to become more familiar with the areas that you're researching.

Hundreds of homes, all with photos, descriptions, and specific information about the home available online, can mean that you're taking an afternoon "virtual tour" - all from the comforts of your couch.

Visiting open houses of homes currently on the market is a great way to get in the flow of seeing homes in person. It will help to translate what you're viewing online, to what a house really feels like when you walk through the front door.

Visiting the neighborhoods where open houses are being held can make you more comfortable about the areas that you might consider buying. Meeting different realtors who are hosting open houses can give you a feel for the type of agent that you may want to consider hiring to help you shop for, make an offer on, and purchase your next home.

If 2018 is your year to buy a house, start your preparations now. Beginning sooner to get the foundation laid for your purchase, will mean a smoother, more enjoyable, and more educated experience later.

Source: courant

About Ameri State Realty: Professional Realtors, Marisol Mendez and Esteban work together and represent early buyers for the purchase or sale of new or used homes in Houston, Cypress, Katy, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands or any other community in the Houston area we can advise you. “I am a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. It has been my greatest pleasure to have helped many families close on their properties in the Houston Area. I am committed to making sure that your buying/selling experience is an enjoyable one. I am passionate about what I do and always looking out for the best interest of my clients.”

Homes for sale in Houston.

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