MOVING LINKS 4 YOU

“ReloMary!  I am ready to buy my first house!”   

This week-end, I was contacted by a young man who was ready and looking forward to buying his first home a year ago.  He was psychologically and financially ready to go.  Then, out of the blue, he got a job transfer and plans were put on hold.  Until now!

The conversation went like this…

@ReloMary – “Hello, this is Mary.”  

@YoungMan – “Hi Mary, I am YoungMan.  I don’t know if you remember me but a year ago we talked when I was ready to purchase my first home.  We were just getting started and the word came I was moving to another state for work.  I’ve been renting until now.”

@ReloMary – “Of course, I remember you!  That’s exciting that you’re now ready!  What are you hoping to do?”

@YoungMan – “Well, I figure the interest rates are good right now.  I want to do something in a month or two but, for sure, by the end of the year.  I should have enough money saved by then to make the down payment on a home.  Problem is, I don’t know where to start.  I figured the best and simplest thing to do was start with you.”

@ReloMary – “I’m glad you did, YoungMan.  It’s important to work with people who have your best interest at stake.  That’s what I see to.  Have you been pre-approved* for a loan?”

@YoungMan – “No, I don’t know what lender to go to or Realtor to call.  From when we talked last year, I remembered this is what you do is match people to Realtors and lenders – that sort of thing.”

@ReloMary – “That’s correct.  Tell me what your goals are and what the most important criteria is in the home you want to purchase and where you want to purchaes it.  Sometimes to write down the top 5 or 10 things that are important to you makes the search criteria easier.”

@YoungMan -  “I want to be within 25 miles of XXXXX zip code and keep my payment around $XXX a month.  I want to talk to someone about the costs beyond the mortgage so I don’t overdo it.  I sure don’t want to be in the same boat others are in right now with too big a mortgage.  The most important things in a home are x, y, z.”

@ReloMary – “You’re smart in the way you are approaching this.  I will be able to find you a Realtor who does a good job explaining to first time home buyers what is involved.  We’ll also be able to find you a solid lender who can  figure out what your mortgage can be so you can still have a cushion.  Is there anything else you can think of right now?”

@YoungMan – “No.  I think that’s it.  I’m out the door to my Salsa dance lesson.  I’ll talk to you in a few days unless I think of something.”

@ReloMary – “I’ll contact you the first part of the week with who I have found for you to work with. I look forward to working with you YoungMan.  Key for you is to remember that I am here the whole way through if you have any concerns or questions. Consider me advocating for you the whole way.”

I’m pleased YoungMan remembered to call me.  Purchasing a first home will be more predictable for him working with professionals who will take him under their wing and explain the process all the way through.  I’ve talked to so many first time home buyers who found the people they worked with by looking online but not knowing anything about them at all.  Subsequently, they may not have been really too interested in working with first time home buyers and relaying important, key information along the way to make it a “remarkably easy move” which is what I aim to do each and every time.

*PreQualified vs. PreApproved for a loan:  To pre-qualify for a loan is merely an estimate of about how much you can spend each month.  To actually get pre-approved for a loan takes it a step farther where you will get a letter from the lender indicating how much you can actually borrow. 

How can I help you when you are selling, buying, or moving?  I’m an email or phone call away.