First Time Buyers

Use these 7 steps...

Strategy & Tactics

With so much at stake the uninitiated can be vulnerable to many perils associated with huge financial commitments. Getting professional advice can save thousands of dollars and prevent disappointment and frustration.

Crystal offers some strategic insights into buying your first home.

Understand strategy and tactics

In one sense, buying a home is not much different than buying a car. Sellers will seldom ask the lowest acceptable price, and buyers rarely start by offering their last dollar. The real price - and the real value- of the home usually lies somewhere in the middle of those dollar amounts.

How can you influence that middle range so that you pay as little as possible for the home of your dreams? Here are few suggestions:

  • Work with your agent and make sure you know what the home is really worth
  • Be clear about what really matters to you (do you want to risk losing the house just because the owner won't leave the dishwasher, for instance)
  • Decide what you must have, now, and what you can add, later (for example, a walk out basement might be nice, but you can always finish the space later).

Emotional Detachment

Buying a home is an emotional decision. Your home can reflect your likes, dislikes, lifestyle and personal taste. A home can remind you of placement childhood memories or be a statement about your personal ambitions. There is some much to a home that it is important not to be swayed into making a rash emotional considerations.

Everything about a home except location can be changed. Exterior finishing's, interior finishing, appliances, fixtures and kitchen decor can all be altered. It is important to stay
focused on the important issues. Walking away from a remarkable opportunity because you dislike a small replaceable aspect of a home is not good business sense. Purchasing a home that will not service your future needs because of a delightful garden or quaint feature is short sighted at best.

A professional Realtor® can help you keep your decision making factors above the tug of emotional considerations and focused on he factors that lead to a wise and profitable home buying decision.