Buying a home can be stressful to say the least. However, if you’re armed with good information and you’ve done your reseach, purchasing a home can be an easy and exciting experience. We’ve listed eight insider tips that will help reduce stress and increase your homebuying confidence.

1. Don’t go it alone.
What you need most in today’s complex marketplace is a professional buyer’s agent who represents your interests only. Acquiring the services of a buyer’s agent means that you have a licensed real estate agent representing you during the search and purchase of a home. Sellers have always been represented by an agent, but traditionally buyers have not. Now, you can have your own agent guiding you through the process of locating and negotiating the best price based on up-to-date comparative pricing information. As the buyer, you are entitled to the same representation and level of service as sellers. In addition, there is no cost to the buyer for the service of a buyer’s agent; the buyer’s agent is paid from the selling agent’s commission.

2. Get pre-approved.
This will not only help you feel more confident, it will also give you an advantage when there are multiple offers on a home – sellers love buyers that are pre-approved for their loan. The fact that your loan has already been approved is of great value to the seller because there is less of a chance that you will back out of the sale. Becoming pre-approved is very easy. You should complete a loan application that includes a credit check prior to beginning your home search process. Your agent can recommend reputable lenders.

3. Research.
Investigate the areas where you’re considering living before you start looking. This will keep your search from having false starts. Get a good idea of the price ranges these homes sell for. This is where a buyer’s agent is a great asset. A buyer’s agent will be able to keep you informed of newly listed properties, as well as determine the housing demand in the area.

4. Beat the competition to new listings.
The search process can be both fun and sometimes stressful. The best homes at the best prices sell fast. Keeping on top of this is critical to your search. Connecting with a professional buyer’s agent that understands what you’re searching for and keeps you updated will give you the greatest selection of properties to consider.

5. Be a serious buyer.
The best way to accomplish this is with strong earnest money. You should consider putting 1% or more down to get the sellers attention. Remember, earnest money goes toward the purchase price of the property if the seller accepts your offer.

6. Keep your offer clean & simple.
Make sure that your contract to purchase is “clean” and not bogged down with unnecessary contingencies, especially repairs. Keep the time frames of repairs and responses to a minimum. The cleaner your offer, the easier you make things for the seller – and you. This may help you purchase the property at the best price also.

7. Be calm.
Even in a hot market, be cool and calculated with your decisions. Your home purchase may be your single largest investment. It’s important to make sure that you’re purchasing something that is not only a good investment, but something you’ll enjoy for years to come.

8. Work with a team.
You’ll always have a better chance of your home purchase going smoothly if all of the professionals involved work as a team. A good buyer’s agent should have a team assembled consisting of a loan officer, a home inspector and closer at a title company. The ability of these professionals to communicate with each other and manage your contract, inspection, loan and title work is critical to making sure your closing goes smoothly and no detail falls through the cracks.

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