By Erin McFeeters
So, you want to buy a home in New Jersey, but you’re not quite ready to Find Your Realtor®? Start your home search research at realtor.com® to help nail down exactly what you’ll be looking for in the future.
What’s on Your Need List
Browsing homes online is fun, and it can be helpful too. You can discover your favorite home style, figure out your home feature priorities, and see the homes available in your desired market.
With the current lack of homes for sale, browse homes so you can put together a comprehensive list of non-negotiable items. These can be features such as the number of bedrooms, garage, access to major roadways, and more. Having a list of must-haves before finding your Realtor® will help them compile homes that fit your needs.
What’s on Your Want List
Now that your non-negotiables list is out of the way, you can browse homes to discover your ideal features, like a large outdoor space, walk-in closets, or an eat-in kitchen.
Having this secondary list compiled to give your future Realtor® can help them nail down what you’re looking for and assist you in finding the right home for you.
Remember the home search is personal—your needs may be another buyer’s needs and that’s why it’s so important to find a New Jersey Realtor® who understands your goals.
Research Areas You Want to Live
New Jersey is a diverse state with vast differences in median income, terrain, and communities. Whether you’re interested in living in the city, a rural neighborhood, a suburb with access to amenities, or a small town, there’s a place for you here.
Using realtor®.com can help you discover your preferred area using different search tools. You can search by price, school district, county, commute to work, lot size, and more. Realtors® are neighborhood experts, and having a place in mind you would like to live will help you find your Realtor® in that area.
Figure Out Your Budget
Even if you’re not entirely ready to jump into the home buying process, it doesn’t mean you can’t begin to figure out your finances. Determine how much each month you’re willing to spend on your mortgage payment, start researching lenders in your desired area, and see if you could qualify for first-time homebuyer assistance programs. Having this knowledge in your toolbox will help you immensely when you meet with lenders for mortgage pre-approval, which is proving to be a necessary first step in today’s competitive market.
This is also a great time to try and boost your credit score, save money for your down payment, and save money on closing costs. Having these items in check will make your home buying experience less stressful.