Tips for the First-Time Homebuyer

Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval

Your first call needs to be a mortgage banker rather than your realtor's office.  Eliminate any doubt a seller may have about your approval status with a pre-approval from CityWorth Mortgage.  An offer with a pre-approval is the next best thing to an all cash offer.

Hire a Great Realtor

You need to remember how important this purchase is going to be, which often means that you can't cut corners to save money. Find a great real estate agent by talking to your mortgage banker. We can recommend agents for you depending on your area and needs.

Plan Down Payment

Read up on the acceptable sources for down payment, and start planning how you're going to make that payment. Having a plan in place will make the process much smoother when you find your dream home!

Don’t Skip a Home Inspection

Many homebuyers, especially those in situations with multiple offers, are tempted to skip a home inspection in order to make their offer more appealing, but this decision could be a major mistake. If you don't have a professional look at the house and find the problems you may be missing, then you could find yourself owning a home that needs more work than you can afford.

Look at the Big Picture

First-time homebuyers have a reputation for being too picky about the little things and not seeing the big picture when touring homes. Remember certain elements of a home can be changed cheaply and easily, so focus more on the things you cannot change (like location, layout, and size).