4 Tips Every renter Should Be Aware of Before buying In Lethbridge Alberta Canada - by Lethbridge real estate expert Courtney Atkinson

Home

0 votes

March 15, 2009, by Courtney Atkinson in Tips for Home Buyers

1. Don’t Get “Pre-Qualified!

If you're looking to get the very best house you're capable of getting for the least amount of money you'd like to spend in Lethbridge Alberta Canada? Next, be sure you are in the optimal position from which to negotiate. Price is only one bargaining chip in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one. Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a seller.

In the past it was our policy to suggest to potential buyers that they try to get qualified for a loan before they apply for it. This means that you spend a few minutes on the phone with a lender who asks you a few questions. Based on the answers, the lender pronounces you “pre-qualified” and issues a certificate that you can show to a seller. Sellers are aware that such certificates are WORTHLESS, and here’s why! None of the information has been verified! Oftentimes-unknown problems surface! Glitches on the credit report due to any number of reasons both accurately and inaccurately, down payments that have not been in the clients’ bank account long enough, etc,some of the problems I’ve seen include recorded judgments, child support payments due.

So the way to make a strong offer today is to get “pre-approved”. This happens AFTER all information has been checked and verified. Now for the final step. Loan approved, but what about the property appraisal? This process takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on your situation. Something we strongly suggest for all of our clients to have.

Since you are currently renting a home and don’t have a home to sell you may be at an advantage when competing with other buyers because many buyers must sell their current home before they are able to get financing for another. 2. Play the Game of Nines

Before house hunting in the Lethbridge Alberta Canada market, develop a list of about 9 items you want in your new location Think of nine things you don't want in a house, then write them down. I call this “NINE OF THIS AND NONE OF THAT”. You may utilize this list like a scoring guide in order to rank all the properties you check out. The one with the biggest score wins! This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you’re comparing dozens of homes. When house hunting in the Lethbridge Alberta Canada, consider the contrast between something called "SKIN AND BONES". Such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor plan,the BONES are things that cannot be changed. Easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings,the SKIN represents. Buy the house with good BONES, because the SKIN can always be changed to match your tastes. We always recommend that you imagine each house as if it were vacant. Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller’s decorating skills. 3. A good agent will show everything available that will meet your requirements. You should not make a decision on a house until you have seen enough to pick the best one. Go to the Multiple Listing computer with your agent to make sure that you are getting a COMPLETE list of homes for sale in Lethbridge Alberta Canada and not just the home that the agent "wants" to show you.

At the end of the 80's, properties in Lethbridge Alberta Canada Usually a few days after listing,were selling quickly. In this type of market, agents recommended that their customers place an offer instantly if they were interested in the home. At that moment, it was a sage opinion. Today there isn’t always this urgency, unless a home is drastically under priced, and you’ll know if it is. But keep in mind, if you wait to long there is always a chance of the house selling before you get your offer to the seller. If you really like a house, get an offer written and make sure your agent writes in the proper clauses to get you out of the offer.

Let's not forget that when making your consideration, also remember to do research into the SCHOOL DISTRICTS that are located in the same area. For more information about schools in the Lethbridge Alberta Canada market you can go to my website found at http://www.courtneyatkinson.ca. Information is available on every school; such as class sizes, % of students that go on to college, SAT scores, etc.

D. Stop Calling Ads!

A word of caution – agents in the Lethbridge Alberta Canada make the phone ring by creating ads Some of the drawbacks the ad neglects to mention are traffic noise, power lines, and even litigation inside the community. What’s not mentioned in the ad is usually more important than what is. For this reason, we want you to be very careful when reading ads. Not you in most cases,and remember that the person writing the ad is representing the seller. The essential thing for you is to have someone on your side looking out for you. Your own agent will critique the property with an eye towards how well it meets your needs and will point out any drawbacks you should know about.Regardless of who you chose to work with, remember to select someone that wins your confidence. Remember too to find to get a buyer's broker on board. Then you become a client with all the rights, benefits, and privileges created by this agency relationship, and you’re no longer just a shopper. Did you know that many homes are sold WITHOUT A SIGN ever going up or an AD EVER BEING PUT IN THE PAPER? People who stick to a sole agent are the ones who find the fantastic deals out there. When an agent hears of a great buy, who do you think he’s going to call? His client, who he has a legal obligation to work hard for you, or someone who just called on the phone and said “keep your eyes open”? So, to get the best buy on a property in the Lethbridge Alberta Canada Our highest recommendation is find yourself an agent you're comfortable with and stick with him or her for all your real estate market needs.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Lethbridge Alberta Canada property For complete information about the Lethbridge Alberta Canada real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Lethbridge Alberta Canada real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 1.403.795.7777 or email me at info@courtneyatkinson.ca.