The process of buying a home can take several months, so coming up with a helpful strategy can help you avoid many potential pitfalls. Purchasing property can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but with a bit of patience and the right planning, there’s really no reason to be intimidated.
If you’re thinking about buying a home in Connecticut, here’s a quick guide:
Pre-qualify for a mortgage
A representative from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) can evaluate your credit-worthiness and eligibility, which will allow you to “pre-qualify” for a mortgage.
During this stage, you can ask your lender for a list of potential closing costs. Keep in mind that lenders are not required to provide a formal quote detailing these costs, but this will give you a good picture of the overall budget required for the home purchase.
Hire a real estate professional
While you can get in touch directly with home sellers and land a great deal by yourself, hiring a real estate professional will greatly help increase your success.
Our agents at the Higgins Group have in-depth knowledge of the communities and local real estate markets in Connecticut, and can help locate the perfect home that will suit your budget.
Select an ideal property and neighborhood
After getting pre-qualified for a mortgage, the next step is to find a home that will fit your budget and your family’s lifestyle.
A good trick is to create a list of what you’d like to have in a home, and arrange that list from “most important” to “least important.” Not only will this list come in handy whenever an agent asks you about your idea of the perfect home, but it can also help you decide when you narrow down your search.
Don’t forget about the neighborhood – do some research online, ask your potential neighbors, and drive around the area during different times of the day so you can find out more about a community.