It’s 6:00PM, and your family has just settled down at the dinner table for a good meal. The phone rings, and a friend says, “Let’s go shopping. I’ll meet you at the Mall in 10 minutes.” Would you go?

Real estate companies often get calls like that. The call goes something like this: “I saw your For Sale sign in Glenbrook Meadows. I’m there now and would like to see the house. Can you meet me in 15 minutes?”

Whoa! Can you imagine the response you would receive if you called your doctor or lawyer with a request like that? Their first question would likely be, “What seems to be the problem?”

Buying a home is a process, not a spur-of-the-moment home tour. A successful purchase begins with the choice of a real estate agent, followed by an in-office meeting to explore the buyers’ objectives. What type home are they seeking? What price range is suitable? How soon do they plan a move?

The next step is to meet with a mortgage lender to obtain a loan commitment. The lender will determine the maximum mortgage available, the downpayment, closing costs and monthly payments. Once the commitment is obtained, it’s time to begin the home search.

When buying your next home, don’t put the cart before the horse. Give me a call first – then enjoy finding the perfect home!