First-Time Homebuyers

The two most stressful things a person can do in life 1)Getting Married 2)Buying a house! Here are some tips for buying your first home from the fabulous Emily Smith:

For many first-time homebuyers, pulling the trigger can be a frightening experience. Will you be happy there? Will you like your neighbors? Will you be tied down, house rich and cash poor? What if you lose your job? Will you hate your commute? In short, your fears stem from the unknown.

Conversely, your current home is familiar. You know exactly what to expect. You’ve come to accept its shortcomings whether they are loud neighbors, a leaky ceiling or scant street parking. There are few surprises.

You are surrounded by family, friends and co-workers who took the leap and are reaping the benefits. Give these steps a try and you could be among them:

•Get comfortable with your finances: Anticipate the new costs that you will incur such as taxes, homeowners insurance, utility bills and commuting. This will help determine the maximum price you can spend on a house. Enlisting the help of a financial expert will give you an objective view of your finances. Remember, the first year is the most difficult, after that you will begin receiving tax benefits.

•Partner with an agent: Even though the Internet gives you access to endless amounts of market information, don’t be fooled into going it alone. An agent can line up properties to view, answer many of your questions and make connections for you in your new community. Also, agents often have the inside track on a new properties just coming on the market.

•Accept some risk: Realize that there is uncertainty in everything, but no matter what happens, you will deal with it. Ask family and friends about their experiences and learn from them. Be sure to keep some cash reserves in the bank as a safety net. And remember, you have homeowner's insurance for a reason.

•Fine tune your “must-haves”: Is there a community that you absolutely want to live in? Are you adamant about wanting a garage, a fireplace? Make your list of what’s important to you and look for it. You may find that you are willing to sacrifice one feature, if the rest is fabulous. If you are not crazy about the house, don’t bid. It’s important that you love it at the outset.

•Be ready to bid: Regardless of the market, great houses don’t stay on the market long. Sometimes one open house leads to three offers. If you love it, be ready to make your best offer. If you are wavering, ask yourself, “How will I feel if I don’t get this house?” You might just get it, and if not, at least you’ll know you tried.

•Reap the reward: Owning a home can be one of the most exciting and satisfying things you’ll ever do in your life. It’s an investment that can pay you personal dividends as well as financial.
[Copyright © by Move, Inc., Realtor.com]
Give me a call for all your real estate needs and questions. I would love to help you find your next home.
Emily Smith
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty
832-748-1149
Emily@EmilySmithProperties.com
www.EmilySmithProperties.com
www.facebook.com/EmilySmithProperties

Adapt not Adopt

Recently a friend and I were discussing the competitiveness in the events industry. Sometimes people can get so competitive they get extremely secretive. This friend I am referring to is also in the speaking industry and he says they have a motto, “Adapt, don’t adopt.” The friend is Alan Berg (if you haven’t heard his seminar or read his book you need to, seriously quit reading this blog and go here: http://alanberg.com/)
I am not saying shout on the mountaintop your marketing plan or pricing guide, however don’t be too timid about sharing your trials and tribulations, as well as your success’ with colleagues. Competition is what pushes us all to be more creative and more cost effective – all of this is good. Otherwise we would still be eating a chicken in a sauce, listening to your cousin DJ an event.
This is why I really loved Alan’s motto of adapt don’t adopt. So for his fellow presenting colleagues they openly show one another their notes and projects they may be working on, all knowing that they won’t copy each other but change things to adapt to what they are doing. This creates a bond within their network plus helps improve their overall industry.