When it comes to your mortgage journey… Getting ready is only half the battle.
You’ve also got to stay ready.
Homebuyer agility training if you will.
Getting ready is the process of getting all your ducks in a row.
There are first steps for every new homebuyer to get your initial documents and paperwork started.
From there you’ve got to stay ready.
And it can be a waiting game.
Waiting to find the right property.
Waiting for an offer to be reviewed and accepted.
Waiting for (more) paperwork to be processed.
Waiting for the inspection.
Waiting for the closing day.
And some more waiting in between.
The goal is to keep moving forward without having to take too many (if any) steps backwards.
It’s the difference between a good home buying experience and a great one.
With thousands of mortgages under our belts, we’ve noticed a pattern on what works well and what has homebuyers tripping over their feet to stay ready.
How to stay ready - once you get ready - to buy a home.
#1 - Be comfortable with your budget
Buying a home is a major financial commitment, and it's important to make sure you're comfortable - and confident - with the price points you're looking at.
There’s nothing worse than second guessing your financial decisions during the home buying process. It can lead to missed opportunities, wasted time, and added stress. #NoThankYou
Trust us when we say that it's better to find a home that fits comfortably within your budget than to try to make a too-expensive house work.
So, take the time to figure out your budget, and don’t be afraid to stick to it.
#2 - Be prompt with your replies
Welcome to the fast feet section of your mortgage agility training 😂.
We know you're busy, but trust us when we say that procrastination is not your friend in the home buying process.
If your lender or real estate agent asks for information or documents, get them back as quickly as possible.
[Side note: As a lender, we can tell you that one of the biggest challenges we face is getting homebuyers to respond to our requests for information in a timely manner.]
The mortgage process can be a whole lot of “hurry up and wait”. You’re not wrong.
But trust us - the faster you can provide the necessary documents (and move the task to someone else’s desk), the smoother the process will be and it will help prevent any unnecessary delays.
There are a lot of good people working together to get you to closing smoothly & timely!
Plus, you'll feel like a boss when you can check those to-do items off your list.
#3 - Be flexible with your approach
The home buying journey is anything but predictable, and you never know what sort of curveballs might come your way.
Maybe your dream home falls through, or your loan application hits a snag. It’s important to be ready for these situations and to have a backup plan in place.
At Team Chedester - we love thinking outside the box when it comes to helping you achieve your long term - and close range - goals.
Sometimes that means we get a little creative (always ethically and legally) with how to approach or structure your mortgage loan and personal finances. When you remain flexible in how all the pieces line up, that helps us get you closer to your big picture goal.
Remember, the most successful homebuyers are those who can adapt to change and keep moving forward.
All this preparation will be worth it in the end… promise!
By being flexible, prompt, and comfortable with your budget – you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the home buying journey. And hey – don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.
Sure, buying a home can be stressful and overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be. And it’s an exciting opportunity to start a new chapter in your life.
So embrace the journey, and remember that being ready doesn’t mean being perfect. It just means being prepared for whatever comes your way.
