Tips for First-time Home Buyers in South East Michigan - Lenawee County

Advice to First-Time Home Buyers: Tips to Eliminate Home Buyer Stress

Death, Divorce and Moving are three very common stressful experiences in life; to make matters worse, death or divorce often create the necessity for one to move.

Applying for a mortgage, finding a home, getting a reasonable deal, negotiating the price, filling out paperwork, and arranging the move are all part of the process of moving. A competent real estate professional will be able to provide assistance in all these areas.

But what about your emotional needs? Even with a good agent you will still experience stress as you go through the complicated process. If divorce is the reason you’re moving; getting through that will create additional stress.

Buying a home will be one of the largest transactions you will be involved in; it is also one of the most complicated and stressful processes. Here are some tips to help new home-buyers cope:

Begin with the end in mind. Picture the scenario; how will things be better when you’re settled in your new home? Write out your goal and use it as an anchor; something good to focus on when the process is complete.

Be flexible. Over-estimate how much you need to save up for closing costs in case there are last minute surprises. Money is often one of the biggest stress-producers; people become angry if it looks like the price keeps going up. Maybe the inspection will reveal more than the seller is willing to fix or the interest rate changes. A competent real estate agent should be able to anticipate things and take care of tying up loose ends quickly. You as a buyer can also anticipate snags and be prepared to work through them so you don’t get angry and emotional.

Trust in the Process. There’s so much to do it’s easy to panic. A good agent should be able to go through the process with you and explain what is coming up so you don’t feel you’re entering a dark tunnel with no light at the other end.

Know you have Options. When things don’t go smoothly don’t get overwhelmed; ask yourself or your agent what your options are. If the lender is taking longer than promised or asking for more documentation until you feel like you’ll never be approved. If you get fed up and give up, then you will have to start the process over again adding weeks to the time it takes to be a homeowner. Realize that the lender needs to be sure his is protecting his investment in you and your new home; therefore, you will be jumping hoops to prove yourself and gain his approval.

Seek Entertainment or Distraction. When set backs happen and there is nothing you can do about it, for example, you expected to close Friday but now it’s looking more like it will be early next week,; step back from things and make plans for the weekend. Create a diversion; do something entertaining for your self and your family to take your mind off your disappointment. Reducing the stress by spending a weekend enjoying family will help you to be more level-headed on closing day.

A real estate professional should be able to help get first-time home buyers through this difficult and complicated process. They are very familiar with all the possible things that can go wrong or cause the deal to go side-ways. They should be able to work with clients and help them be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.

Mark Goedert has been in business for over 50 years, developing cutting-edge strategies for providing top-rate services to home buyers and sellers. His understanding of individual needs with different types of transactions helps him to put his clients at ease while working through acquisition and closing process.

Mark Goedert serves clients in the Down River area, Calhoun, Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion, Hillsdale, Ingham, Lansing, Okemos, Mason, Jackson, Lenawee, Adrian, Tecumseh, Hudson, Livingston, Howell, Brighton, Pinckney, Macomb, Sterling Heights, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Monroe, Temperance, Bedford, Oakland, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Southfield, Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Wayne, Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, Canton, Trenton and more in South East Michigan.