First-Time Home Buyers

If you are a first-time home buyer, use the guide below for helpful hints and tips and learn how to avoid common mistakes when buying your first home.

Pre-Qualification

Meet with a mortgage broker to determine affordability.

Pre-Approval

Pre-approval makes sellers more receptive and helps avoid disappointment. It involves applying for a mortgage and receiving a written commitment from a lender, indicating seriousness as a buyer.

List of Needs & Wants

Create two lists: "must-haves" (e.g., number of bedrooms, accessibility) and "wishes" (e.g., pool, den). While not all wishes may be met, the list helps stay on track.

Representation by a Professional

Hire a real estate agent who works specifically for the buyer.

Focus & Organization

Keep specific items handy to maximize home search efforts:

One or more detailed maps with areas of interest highlighted.
A list or file of properties shown by the agent.
Paper and pen for taking notes.
A camera for taking pictures of toured homes to remember favorites and features.

Visualize the House

Visualize the house empty & with your decor. Consider room layout and natural light.

Be Objective

Make decisions based on needs ("with your head") rather than emotions ("with your heart") to avoid future regret.

Be Thorough

Extra effort can save expenses later. Include these essentials:

Include inspection & mortgage contingencies in the written offer.
Have the property inspected by a professional inspector.
Request a second walk-through within 24 hours of closing.
Check for any unauthorized changes to the property (e.g., a chandelier being replaced).

Contact Us to Schedule a Home Buying Consultation

The process can be overwhelming. Please contact us directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail.

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All information provided by the seller and is deemed to be correct, but is not guaranteed. Buyer to verify and satisfy themselves with all information listed including but not limited to lot size, room sizes and square footage. Buyers are encouraged to have property inspected by inspector of their choice. Price subject to change. IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. You may not reproduce or redistribute this data—it is for viewing purposes only. This data is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS.

Listings courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS® MLS as distributed by MLS GRID.

Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

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