Andi Grant, Home Buyer's Agent BRE 01728424
The Home Buying Process Made Simple
The home buying process in 2024 can be made much easier when the home buying team consists of an informed home buyer, an experienced Realtor and negotiator, and a sharp lending professional.
1) HOW MUCH HOME CAN I AFFORD IN 2024? The very last thing any home buyer turned homeowner wants to do is get in over their head. When a home purchase is timed and performed correctly, it can be a very rewarding and lucrative investment for any homeowner, potentially creating a direct path to financial gain and a much more secure future.
Start out by writing out your monthly bills to determine what you can afford while at the same time eliminating the more unnecessary expenses. Feel free to use our Mortgage Calculator in assisting you with a rough estimate of the monthly mortgage payment you can expect to pay (this will not include all of the add'l costs related to first time home buyer programs and homeownership). Don't forget to include the small expenses on your list such as groceries, cable and phone to the much larger ones like car note, student loans, child support payments, etc. Leading up to the weeks or months of purchase, set the rough mortgage amount aside to see how comfortable you are living off the newly reconstructed budget and adjust accordingly.
2) SPEAK TO A REALTOR® WHO KNOWS YOUR DESIRED AREA(S), THE OVERALL MARKET CONDITION, AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH GREAT LENDING PROFESSIONALS. A Realtor can determine your purchase needs, wants, short term and long term goals and best match you to a recommended lending professional that can help you to accomplish them. Realtors® for the most part, know which lenders have had a proven track record for closing deals on time with as little out-of-pocket costs to their clients. They are able to vet out the over-promisers and connect you to the trusted professionals that are most experienced with obtaining great financing and closing on a loan that is best suited to you and your needs. Remember ultimately it is YOUR choice as to whom you will use as your lending professional, so please choose wisely.
3) BE COMPLETELY HONEST AND TRUTHFUL WHEN SPEAKING TO THE LENDER. The lender will need to know your past buying history and current debt profile. They will also need to obtain personal financial information such as last 2 years of income tax statements, last 2-4 paycheck stubs and SS# for credit report/score check. Oftentimes, your pre-approval amount can be determined within 48 hours depending on how soon you get the lender the necessary documentation. There are less curveballs thrown into an escrow when the lender fully knows your circumstances. The last thing you want with your good faith deposit money on the line, is to have an unnecessary delay with an expensive per diem cost, or worse, a loan application denied simply because you weren't as forthcoming about your debt, income and finances. Remember most lenders have seen and heard it all, so be very honest and detailed in order to strategically place yourself in the best home buying position possible.
4) WITH PRE-APPROVAL IN HAND, CALL ME AT 310-508-4354!
As your Realtor, I can now compile a more concise list of homes for sale in your targeted price range and area; Homes that will not only be more comfortably affordable for you, but homes that will closely meet your desired location(s), preferred amenities list, and financing requirements. Having a pre-approval letter brings you one step closer to making an offer and finding a great home!
If you are considering using the seller's listing agent to "cut a deal" please read "Should I Use a Seller's Agent?" and read what the Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate have to say.
START THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS NOW: If you are considering home buying in the GREATER Los Angeles area (including the "new downtown LA", the Westside and South Bay areas), Long Beach, Downey, Lakewood, Carson or any of their surrounding cities such as Cerritos, Torrance, Gardena, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Pico Rivera, San Pedro, do not hesitate to call me at 310-508-4354.
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ARE YOU LOOKING A LITTLE FARTHER AWAY? We service San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The most popular distance searches in 2014 were Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Perris, Murrieta, and Temecula but we also service their many surrounding cities.
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