If you are new to the home-buying process, you may have quickly realized that there is a pretty steep learning curve. Hopefully, your next realization is that buying a home is too big of a deal to just wing it. Maybe you watch the television shows or know someone that shared some of their process with you, but there is no substitution for hands-on, personal knowledge for such an important buy.
Just like everything in life these days, there’s an app for that; rather there is usually some avenue you can take to get assistance to walk you through the “how-tos,” “best practices,” and “did you knows.” U.S. News & World Report’s Teresa Mears, says that taking a first time homebuyers course is a no-brainer. While some first time buyer assistance programs and even some lenders require you to take a course, with or without the requirement, it should still be a stop on your journey. An industry expert, advises, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” And, not knowing, can be one expensive mistake.
You can learn things like:
- Credit worthiness
- Actual home-buying and the mortgage process
- Budgeting
- How to shop around for a mortgage
- Home inspections
- Insurance
- Real Estate agent dos and don’ts
- Finding one
- Working with one
- What you can/should expect from your agent
As with anything, do your homework. It would be rare that if the information is as valuable as you need it to be, that the course is free. So, since you are likely to pay for this information, you want it to help you achieve your goal…finding the perfect home for you at the best price. Resources like Divas Doing Real Estate, the brainchild of Carod Properties own Sherkica Miller, has experience and reputation behind her name and her business. DDRE isn’t just a website and a promise. All involved have track records that provide an unmatched level of credibility. The vital information they provide to their home buying and real estate investing clients, gives a sense of security that seeking their assistance was one of the first vital decisions in the entire process.
It is not a low-income thing. It is a buyer intelligence thing. At any income level, you want to get the most out of your money and not regret any part of your decision. Ignorance is no excuse. There’s help out there. Seek, and you shall find. Happy home-buying!
By: Alicia M. Caldwell, AMC Literary Services
