Buying your first home key #3: hire the right home inspector

Planning to buy your first home in Madison, WI? We've covered how getting your mortgage pre-approval and hiring the right buyer agent are two important steps in your journey toward home ownership.
Another important step is to hire the right home inspector. Your home inspector should be extremely thorough and willing to share his knowledge about maintaining a home.

Your inspector should use the latest technologies, such as a thermal imaging camera. A thermal imaging camera can detect moisture problems that can't be seen by the naked eye.

Your inspector should also document all defects with a digital camera. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Sellers are more likely to agree with a finding when a picture clearly exposes the defect. The photos will help your buyer agent advocate for your goals as you negotiate the follow up to your inspection.

Do you have questions about buying a home in Madison? Feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to sit down with you and offer our thoughts on how you can move forward with this very exciting milestone in your life.

Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.



Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.





 The DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team at Keller Williams Realty, Madison, WI

http://www.danecountymarket.com/

http://www.searchdanecounty.com/
http://www.danecountyforeclosuresearch.com/ 

http://www.howwehelpyoubuy.com/

http://www.howwehelpyousell.com/

Buying your first home key #2: Find the right buyer agent

If you are a first-time home buyer seeking to buy a home in Madison, one of the very first things you should do is get your mortgage pre-approval.

When you have your financing plans in place, then it's time to look at homes. This is where your buyer agent comes into play. A great buyer agent will help you in a number of different ways. These include:

• Simplify the home buying process by implementing a plan that keeps you focused and saves you time, as you go about the process of finding the right home at the right price.
• Introduce you to the communities and neighborhoods that are of interest to you.
• Schedule and coordinate all of your showings.
• Help you obtain answers to all of the questions you may have about an individual property and the home buying process as a whole. You will have a lot of questions. A great buyer agent will provide you with all of the answers you need throughout the entire process.  
• Keep you up-to-date on the latest market trends in your neighborhoods of interest.
• Draft your offer to purchase for you, and negotiate on your behalf once you've found the perfect home at the perfect price.
• Manage and track all of your contingencies, including your earnest money, financing, inspection and testing, and any other contingencies that are a part of your offer. 
• Attend your home inspection with you, and assist you with any further negotiations that are required based on the results of your inspection.  
• Be your guide throughout the entire process, from the time of your first showing, to the day of your closing and beyond.

We recommend you "test drive" your buyer agent before you sign a buyer agency agreement. This will give both you and your agent some time to work with each other, to ensure you have a good working relationship before you move forward with your home purchase plans.

Do you have questions about buying a home in Madison? Feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to sit down with you and offer our thoughts on how you can move forward with this very exciting milestone in your life.

Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.



Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.







The DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team at Keller Williams Realty, Madison, WI

http://www.danecountymarket.com/

http://www.searchdanecounty.com/

http://www.howwehelpyoubuy.com/

http://www.howwehelpyousell.com/

Buying your first home key #1: Choosing the right lender

If you are a first-time home buyer seeking to buy a home in Madison, one of the first things you should do is get your mortgage pre-approval.  As you go about this your lender will educate you on the home loan process, and you will learn about the home loan programs that are a good fit for your personal situation.

The question is which lender should you choose? The answer depends a lot on your personal finances and the type of property you wish to buy. There are many excellent lenders to choose from, but you will want to select a lender who has the experience and the knowledge to deliver the loan program that is the best fit for you.

For example, if you are someone seeking down payment assistance, you will want to select a lender who is well-versed in the variety of down payment assistance programs available in Madison and Dane County. Similarly, if you are seeking a low down payment loan program, you should select a lender who has the ability to educate you on your many options and help you choose the program that is the best fit for you.

If you are buying a condo, we highly recommend you select a lender who has a strong track record of successfully closing many condo loans.

If you are buying a duplex and using your rental income to pay your mortgage, you should choose a lender who has experience with income properties in our market.

If you are veteran, you'll want to work with someone who is well-versed in the VA Loan program.

The list goes on...

Choosing the right lender is an important first step in your journey toward buying your first home. If you are in need of a lender, we'll be happy to refer you to one who is a good fit for your goals and individual situation. Feel free to contact us, and we will promptly assist you.

Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.



Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.







Brought to you buy the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team at Keller Williams Realty

Madison, WI

http://www.danecountymarket.com/

http://www.searchdanecounty.com/

http://www.howwehelpyoubuy.com/

http://www.howwehelpyousell.com/

Dane County first-time home buyers, these articles are for you

Dane County and Madison WI home buyers, here are some great reads for you. These articles are especially helpful if you're in the process of buying your first home.

• The importance of a mortgage pre-approval
• Don't let your dream home slip through the cracks
• Finding the best deals in our market
• The importance of choosing the right home inspector
• Home buyers, be prepared to act quickly
• How we help you buy

Our map search tool is another great resource, which you'll find at www.SearchDaneCounty.com. You can begin your home search by clicking the map below.

Click the map for all Dane County and Madison WI homes for sale. 

Brought to you buy the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team at Keller Williams Realty

Madison, WI

http://www.danecountymarket.com/

http://www.searchdanecounty.com/

http://www.howwehelpyoubuy.com/

http://www.howwehelpyousell.com/