Buyers! Five Simple Things To Ensure A Smooth Home Buying Experience

The process of buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible:

1. Check your credit.
Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan.

2. Get approved before you buy.
An approval means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you have found a home to purchase. As long as the home appraises for at least the purchase price, the loan should close. You would also have an advantage over buyers that may not have spoken with a lender first.

3. Find a great buyer's agent.
Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you.

A buyer's agent's job and fiduciary responsibility (meaning legal duty) is to you, the buyer. Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent. After spending a lot of time with a Realtor, it's natural to feel like you're a team. But if they are not negotiating for you, then they are not on your team.

4. Protect Yourself.
Ask your Realtor for a copy of the documents you will be asked to sign if you decide to buy the house. Read them ahead of time so that you'll understand the questions that you will be asked, the things you need to know, and the decisions you will need to make.
5. Have reasonable expectations.
There is a lot of money at stake. No house is perfect. Understanding and remembering these two statements will help diffuse the negotiation stage, the inspection stage and the closing stage. Emotions are high for both buyers and sellers.
I was once a first time home buyer 7 years ago and I can truly say it's been a pleasure. Why rent an apartment, I was NEVER going to own it....

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Yolanda Hayes, Sold By Yolanda

Charlotte - Metropolitan Luxury Lofts/Townhomes For Sale

   
Every weekend I get up before 7:30am and drive around Charlotte to keep myself familiar with all the new areas, restaurants and the communities with the most interest. Today I decided to take a drive down to Midtown Charlotte once again and walk around The Metropolitan because I am still amazed at how far Charlotte has come over the years. Bringing the exciting urban lifestyle, allowing owners to just walk to a great cup of coffee, shopping or dining. With Trader Joe's, Zoe's Kitchen, Target, Aveda Modern Spa and much more within walking distance this area is sure to be pleasing to those looking for that maintenance free lifestyle.
            

This amazing area is just minutes from Uptown Charlotte and surrounded by The Greenway and Linear Park. Once complete, this beautiful expansion of land will be 15 miles long stretching from South Carolina to north of Uptown Charlotte.
The Metropolitan feature's The MetClub where the residents can enjoy an oasis of relaxation and entertainment. This resort-like living is located on the third level of the MetTerraces building offering a pool, sundeck, plasma TV, summer kitchen with grill and much more.

If you are interested in living in Midtown Charlotte, contact me for more details and to schedule appointment for a viewing. Call me, it's ok, I'm a REALTOR  704-839-6005