Determine Your Price Range: Budget how much you can afford to put toward a monthly mortgage payment and property taxes.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® can help you find a lender to kickstart the budgeting and pre-approval process.
Formulate Your Home Purchase Timeline: When would you ideally like to close on your new home? Are there any contributing factors, such as starting a new job or the beginning of the school year?
How a Realtor® Can Help: Lay everything on the table with your Realtor® to formulate an ideal home purchase timeline.
Stay Up-to-Date on Market Conditions: Research the current real estate climate and stay up-to-date on current prices, inventory of homes for sale, and demand for homes.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor’s® unmatched market expertise will help you navigate any market. They possess the know-how to submit a competitive offer, cost vs. value, and more
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Compile Your Wants and Needs List: Determine what non-negotiables you need in your future home. Do you need a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor? Are you looking for a home with easy access to major roadways or public transportation?
How a Realtor® Can Help: Use your Realtor® as a sounding board and walk through your list so they can help you find the home of your dreams.
Choose Where You Want to Live: Buying a home is about more than the house. It’s about where in New Jersey you want to live. With 564 municipalities in New Jersey across 21 counties, there are a lot of neighborhoods to consider. Use factors such as ideal commute time, community life, and more.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® is a neighborhood expert and can help you find the perfect place.
Find Financing: Research financing options that meet your needs and qualifications. Do you qualify for down payment assistance? Could you apply for a VA loan?
How a Realtor® Can Help: Don’t navigate financing options alone. A Realtor® can help you research applicable programs and can help you find a lender.
Scroll Online Marketplaces for Listings: Set up searches on online marketplaces such as realtor.com® so you never miss a new listing.
How a Realtor® Can Help: Realtors® help tailor your home search to match your personalized specifications, ensuring you find the home of your dreams.
Schedule Showings: When you find a home you’re interested in, schedule a time with the listing agent to tour the home.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® will communicate with the listing agents on your behalf, schedule property showings, and compile research on every property you tour.
Find an Attorney, Title Agency, Lender, and Inspectors: Multiple parties may be involved in a real estate transaction, depending on your preferences and unique homebuying situation.
How a Realtor® Can Help: Don’t find vendors on your own. A Realtor® will have a list of attorneys, title agencies, lenders, and inspectors they work with frequently.
Submit a Competitive Offer: It’s more than just a purchase price—an offer letter should include your down payment percentage, pre-approval letter, and more.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® does a lot behind the scenes to help their client’s offer letter stand out. They’ll speak with the seller’s agent, negotiate on your behalf, and discuss the next steps if your offer is accepted.
Negotiate with the Seller: Communicate with the seller to see if they’ll give concessions. These concessions can reduce the upfront expenses at closing.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® is your advocate through the negotiation process. They can assist you in negotiating for repairs and any concessions.
Schedule the Final Walk-Through: Before you close, you can visit the property to ensure the requested repairs are completed and verify that appliances and fixtures are in working order.
How a Realtor® Can Help: A Realtor® will help you schedule the final walk-through and help you know what to look for before closing
