How Much Of A Home Can You Afford?

You must consider your finances going into this decision. The ideal spot to start is with a loan officer who can conduct a thorough inspection of your financial situation through a preapproval. You will be asked to produce documents like recent pay stubs and tax statements to ensure the integrity of the preapproval. Once you have an official preapproval letter from a lender, you will know the specific dollar amount range that you can afford. This will give you confidence as well as any seller. We would be happy to refer you to a loan officer who can help with this.

What Areas Are You Interested In?

What are you looking for in a neighborhood? It is best to consider the type of landscape, amenities, the school district, parks, distance to medical facilities, etc. when thinking about the ideal neighborhood. Choose a few areas that fit your criteria and then partner with a real estate agent who has vast experience in the region. By using someone who knows the ins and outs and the history of the region, they will be able to help guide you appropriately.

What Kind Of House Do You Want?

There are a variety of types of homes to choose from. There are single-family homes, condos, multifamily homes, co-ops and more. It is important to think about what you want. This means considering how long you plan to stay in the home. Do you envision yourself settling into the home and growing your family there? Or, do you consider this to be a starter home that you might sell within five years to purchase a larger home? These are things to tell your real estate agent to help you narrow down your search.

How Can I Make The Ideal Offer On The House I Want?

If you have your preapproval and know how much of a down payment you have, then you know your buying power. Your real estate agent will know based on comparable homes in the neighborhood if the asking price for the home is reasonable. They should also be able to tell you a range that will put you in a position to have your offer accepted. This will include knowing if there are other offers on the table and if a bidding war might occur.

We can help walk you through this process and will be your advocate the whole time! The home search is a very personal process for us and we always strive to keep the buyers’ goals in mind as we help them navigate the homebuying process. We want to make your Idaho real estate dreams come true!