First Time Home Buyer Tips and Advice That Must Be Read!

Kyle Hiscock

Kyle Hiscock | Greater Rochester NY Real Estate | Pittsford NY Realtor at RE/MAX Realty Group

Have questions about buying or selling a home?

Ask Now!

First Time Home Buyer Tips and Advice that must be read!

First Time Home Buyer Tips and Advice that must be read!

Whether purchasing a car for the first time, a home for the first time, or anything for that matter for the first time, it can come with much confusion, a high level of uncertainty, and even some stress.  The home buying process is often seen by many as a “daunting” process.  This doesn’t have to be the case though, if the proper preparation and research is done.

Each and every person who purchases a home normally will have different experiences, hurdles to overcome, and ultimately have their own opinion on the home buying process, so beware of many opinions when talking with family, friends, and co-workers.  Even though the majority of home buyers are different, the home buying process is usually the same.  There is a general outline that should be followed when buying a home for the first time.

Here are several first time home buyer tips and some advice to help make the process of purchasing a home for the first time much less stressful and seamless!

How Much Can You Afford
Whether a consumer is purchasing a car for the first time, a home for the first time, or a set of golf clubs for the first time, it’s important to know how much can be afforded!  This is an extremely important part of the home buying process.  Many first time buyers don’t realize or understand that it’s extremely important to know how much they can afford before looking at homes!  It’s common to have first time home buyers contact real estate agents and get upset when they are educated on the importance of finding out how much home they can afford before getting out into the marketplace!  It’s important that a first time home buyer understands what the costs of buying a home are but also why they are involved.

Not only is it important for a first time home buyer to know how much they can afford, but it’s also important to understand the difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval.  

First and foremost, a pre-approval is more attractive to a seller than a pre-qualification.  A pre-qualification is a quick and very general overview of a first time buyers financial situation.  The information used for a pre-qualification is usually given to the lender by the potential mortgagee, which can often be inaccurate.  In addition to the general overview of the first time buyers financials, the lender usually will pull a credit report to make sure the credit scores are within the required guidelines of the different loan programs.

A pre-approval is a detailed look into a first time buyers financials.  It includes a lender pulling a fact data (Tri-merge) credit report, collecting the first time buyers pay stubs,  W-2’s, verifying their employment, and any other information needed to approve the buyer.  This process may sound much more difficult, but depending on the lender that a first time buyer chooses, it doesn’t have to be!  Having a pre-approval instead of a pre-qualfication is not only attractive to a seller, but also can be the difference in a first time buyer winning in a multiple offer situation!

Set Realistic Expectations when purchasing your first home!

Set Realistic Expectations when purchasing your first home!

Set Your Expectations
When buying a home for the first time, an extremely important tip is to make sure expectations are set.  By setting realistic expectations, the chance to be disappointed or let down is minimized.  So, what type of expectations should be set before purchasing a home for the first time?

Once a buyer knows how much they can afford, it’s important to figure out what will their money get them.  When buying a home for the first time, it’s important to do it with a purpose and a realistic goal in mind.  How big of a home can be afforded?  What style of home is desired?  What are acceptable locations of the home?  It’s important that first time buyers have a strong feeling on items like these but also a good idea on which items they are willing to be flexible with.  It is a great idea to prioritize these items in order of importance.

Buying a home with no expectations or goals in mind is no different than going to a grocery store with no list or budget.  By going to a grocery store with no idea what will be purchased often will end up in lots of wasted time walking around aimlessly and ultimately not getting the results that would be expected.  By having that strong grasp on the style of home, the size of a home, and other characteristics that are desired in a home will save a first time buyer lots of time and also ensure they are purchasing their first home while staying within the range of what they are able to realistically afford.  It makes no sense for a buyer who is pre-approved for a loan amount of $150,000 to look at local luxury homes.  A great real estate agent should be able to help a buyer set realistic expectations.

Learn About the Home Buying Process
The home buying process is exactly that, a process.  There are certain steps that need to be taken to ensure the process of buying a home for the first time, goes smooth.  By understanding the process, it greatly reduces the chance that a buyer is disappointed, let down, heartbroken, or frustrated.  There are many things that a first time buyer should be doing before looking for homes, such as getting a pre-approval, but also many things that a buyer should be doing once they are under contract on their future home.  Many first time home buyers don’t understand why it generally takes 60 days from contract to closing.

Understanding the local real estate market is important when purchasing your first home!

Understanding the local real estate market is important when purchasing your first home!

Get Educated on the Local Real Estate Market
When purchasing a home for the first time, it’s important a buyer understands the local real estate market.  There are many ways this can be accomplished.  The internet has completely changed the way the real estate industry works in 2014!  There is so much information available on the internet that can certainly help a buyer understand the local real estate market.  The internet is great for providing a wealth of information, however, it’s also important a buyer understands that not everything that is on the internet is true.  Really it isn’t!  There are many third-party real estate websites on the internet that provide some very inaccurate information.  A perfect example of inaccurate real estate information are the “Zestimates” that Zillow provides to consumers.  The inaccurate information provided by these third-party real estate websites is not only specific to the Webster, NY real estate market.

The best place for a first time home buyer to get educated on the local real estate market is by a local real estate professional.  If someone was looking to have a dental procedure done, they wouldn’t go on the internet to look how to do the procedure or call their chiropractor.  They would call a local dentist for their assistance.  A person in Rochester, NY who is in need of a dental procedure would have no use for a dentist in Grafton, MA.  The same can be said for a first time home buyer.  A first time home buyer in Grafton, MA should not be looking to a Grafton, MA real estate agent for information on the Rochester, NY real estate market.  It is important for a first time home buyer sit down with an experienced and knowledgeable local real estate agent to ensure they have a strong understanding of the local market!

Selecting a Real Estate Agent
Buying a home is a very large event in life.  It’s not something that should be done without the help of a trained real estate professional.  There are many things that a real estate agent is responsible to ensure are getting completed accurately and timely throughout the transaction.  Ensuring a buyer has secured a pre-approval from a reputable lender, ensuring contract dates are being followed, and negotiating on the buyers behalf to get them the best price for a home are just a few items that a buyers real estate agent is responsible for!  Without this guidance, it’s very easy for a first time buyer to make a mistake that can cost thousands of dollars.

There are many questions that a first time home buyer should ask a real estate agent, before selecting them!  It’s common and understandable that a first time home buyer has more questions than someone who has purchased 5 homes.  So, would it be a good idea for a first time home buyer to select a part-time real estate agent?  Probably not!  To be a successful real estate agent, there are many long days (and nights), which many times cannot be accommodated by a part-time real estate agent.  In addition to whether an agent is part-time or full-time, other great things to ask a real estate agent is; How many sales do you complete a year?  In what ways can/do you communicate?  Can you provide me with some references or testimonials?

There is often a general consensus that the real estate profession is one that can be done by anyone and that it’s “easy-money.”  This is very far from the truth.  There are people entering and exiting the real estate profession on a daily basis.  This is why it’s extremely important that a first time buyer asks any potential agent that they are thinking of selecting these difficult questions.

Are There Any Incentives or Grants Available
First time home buyers are often able to take advantage of first time home buyer grants or incentives.  It’s important that a first time buyer understands that every lender is different.  From the interest rate they are able to offer, the type of loan products they offer, to the incentives or grants they are able to offer.

A lender who may not offer a grant to first time home buyers, may never mention it.  When selecting a lender, it’s a good idea for a first time home buyer to research all of their options.  It sometimes is a good idea to reach out to a local real estate professional before locking into a local mortgage lender.  A great real estate professional should be able to understand a first time buyers situation and be able to suggest reputable companies who may offer the best type of product and/or grant for that buyer.

Consider all expenses involved in owning a home!

Consider all expenses involved in owning a home!

Consider All Expenses Involved in Owning a Home
Many first time home buyers make the mistake of not considering the costs of owning a home.  It’s common that a first time buyer purchases a home that is the absolute maximum they can afford according to a lender.  This can lead to problems once the buyer realizes the other expenses involved in owning a home.  First time home buyers often forget about additional expenses of utilities, furniture, appliances, insurance, and groceries, to mention only a few.

A first time buyer who doesn’t consider these additional expenses often will have to change their lifestyles, which can be difficult for some.  Instead of living with mom and dad who had cable TV and high-speed internet, they may now have to live without these luxuries.  Bottom line, a first time home buyer must consider all the expenses and possible changes to their current lifestyle that may occur once owning a home!

The above advice and tips are extremely important to a first time home buyer.  By understanding these tips, it can make the process not seem as “daunting” or difficult!  A first time buyer needs to understand and feel comfortable with the professionals they are working with that “no question is a dumb question!”  

Other First Time Home Buyer Resources

 Are you a first time home buyer in the Greater Rochester, NY area?  Contact us and we’d love the opportunity to explain the home buying process, educate you on the local Rochester, NY real estate market, and help find your “dream home!”  We love first time home buyers!  


About the authors:  The above article “First Time Home Buyer Tips and Advice” was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.

Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.

Have questions about real estate? I'm here to help.

Get In Touch

Contact Me!

chat_bubble
close
Thinking About Making A Move In 2024?
Let's Chat!