4 Thoughts that Keep you from Home Ownership
The real estate market can be overwhelming, especially for those who are just getting started. Factor in today’s economy and many people become paralyzed with fear. In these conditions, it’s hard to know if buying your first home is right. Doing something for the first time can have any reasonable person second guessing themselves. Left unchecked, these ruminating thoughts keep us from doing the very best thing we can do for ourselves.
Don’t let these 4 common thoughts keep you from buying your first home.
I don’t understand the numbers and terms.
Many of us haven’t taken a solid math class in over a decade and we certainly don’t do math for the hobby of it. Numbers can be scary and then throw in financial terminology and we have ourselves a cluster. People throw around the terms like interest rate, debt-to-income ratio, proof of funds. When we don’t understand the turns, we can start to feel small.
It’s human nature to shy away from things that we don’t understand. Its also fairly common to try to keep this knowledge gap to ourselves. The terms and numbers don’t need to stop you from making one of the most important decisions of your life.
When you work with me, you can really ask any question about any term or number. I’m going to explain it in real words using tangible language so that you can understand and be comfortable in making your future decisions. I won’t use more terms to describe other terms. I’m just going to talk with you, math with you and get it to all make sense.
I don’t want to be in a high pressure sale situation.
As a potential new buyer of real estate, you may be scared of the sales aspect of it all. You may just down right loathe the feeling of being pushed into a sale. You may not like the feeling of being in a hard sale--never wanting to look at your phone because you are afraid of it being another sales call. Buying a home is a huge investment, you don’t need the added pressure of some dude calling you too much.
When you work with me, we’ll discuss how you’d like to be contacted, when you’d like to be contacted, and what types of information is best for you. We’ll identify all the things that you want and need in a property. We’ll get pretty clear on your vision and any limitations that you may have so that I don’t have to sell you on anything. I just need to find that perfect home for you.
I’m scared I can’t afford a home.
Buying a home is a huge investment and so often we may not have a clear picture on what we can afford. It can be so discouraging to hear about ‘all cash offers,’ bidding wars, and homes going for over asking price. This can make some first time home buyers feel excluded. ’It’s also fairly common for people to be worried or embarrassed about some parts of their finances. Perhaps you had a work gap, a divorce, credit card debit, or a life stressor. We can certainly explore these pieces confidentially and see what opportunities are available to you within your goals.
As your agent, I can help you find a loan officer that can work with your unique situation. I will help you find potential programs for first time home buyers, provide resources on the lending process, and keep you up to date on any shifts in the market. I can find properties that are within your budget and help you make a competitive offer. Life stressors do affect our finances but they don’t exclude you from buying real estate. Let’s explore the possibilities of home ownership for you.
I’m scared of picking the wrong agent.
It’s important that you find an agent who is knowledgeable and experienced in the local area where you're looking to buy a home. You'll find that an agent can answer your questions in a timely way and provide up to date information to help you succeed. Your agent should have community connections to support you in all aspects of your real estate experience.
It’s also equally important to feel like your real estate agent gets you and fully understands your needs. Feeling heard within this amazingly important decision in your life is necessary. Buying your first home should be a feel-good experience.
As your real estate agent, I am motivated by both product and process. I want you to get into your perfect home and I work to ensure a comfortable and sale sales experience. Working with an agent that you can trust will certainly result in a better transaction.
A final thought.
The world of home ownership can seem intimidating at first but it doesn't have to be! Having the right agent by your side is essential to becoming a home owner. I’m here to answer your real questions about numbers and terms. I’m here to understand your genuine needs.. I’m here to create opportunities within your unique financial requirements. I’m here to find you the perfect first home.
Let’s get started now.
Text or call me at 707-888-7894. If you prefer, email me at christophersummers@windermere.com and let me know what you are looking for.
