10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor When Buying Your First Home!

Buying your first home comes with joy, excitement, and a lot of questions. Is it supposed to take this long? What happens next? Is this normal? Between the legalese, the emails, and the timelines, it can feel impossible to navigate. An expert Realtor makes all the difference, and our Julie & Co. Realty, LLC Realtors are here for every step of the way. If you’re starting the home buying journey, here are ten questions to ask your Realtor to get your head on straight.

1. 1. How do I set my budget?
      
      If you’ve been shopping for homes online, you may have stumbled upon estimate monthly costs or found a few mortgage calculators. These tools can be a great start, however there are other costs involved in home buying that are often underrepresented. You’ll have closing costs, attorney fees, inspection costs, and maybe more costs specific to your situation. Your Realtor will inform you of what to expect, and that will help shape your budget!
   2. When will I hear from you?
      
      Every Realtor is different, and setting up communication expectations at the start is a great way to aid the process. The market can move fast, so your Realtor may be sending you time sensitive communications!
   3. What’s happening in the local market?
      
      Your Realtor is working hard to keep tabs on everything changing in the local market. Let them paint a picture for you of the current climate, how fast homes are selling, or which areas are more competitive. This knowledge will help you secure your perfect first home.
   4. How do I make my offer stand out?
      
      Your Realtor will use their expertise, skills and strategies to help make sure your offer is competitive!
   5. Who should I trust as my lawyer/mortgage lender/etc.?
      
      Trusting someone to represent you legally or financially is a huge decision to make. Luckily your Realtor will have recommendations of professionals they’ve worked with in the past, so you’ll know you’re in good hands.
   6. How will I know when I’ve found ‘the one’?
      
      Unfortunately, there’s no perfect way to know if one house will be your perfect first home. But your Realtor will help you decide if it’s a good investment, if the community fits your needs, and all the other factors that go into choosing a home.
   7. What if my offer isn’t accepted, or what happens when it is?
      
      Your Realtor has seen it all! They will guide you through an offer getting denied, and they will take you through the next steps when it’s time to start the closing process!
   8. What happens during the inspection, and what happens if issues arise?
      
      Once your offer is accepted, inspections will tell you even more about the home. If issues arise, your Realtor has likely seen them before, and will tell you how to proceed in a way that is in your best interest.
   9. How long will this process take?
      
      This question has a lot of variables. From the specifics you’re looking for, the local market, and more. Your Realtor will give you an average timeline to expect and will alert you along the journey if things change.
   10. What do I need to know about homeowners insurance?
       
       Finding the right insurance is a necessary step in getting a mortgage. What to expect in this process varies depending on the home. Your Realtor and insurance carrier will guide you through the process.

Your Realtor is not just there to help you find a home, they are your trusted ally in everything regarding home ownership! As you start your first home buying process, questions will keep coming up. Finding a expert Realtor that fits your needs will make sure they all get answered. Check out our Agent Page to find the right fit for you, and good luck in your home buying process!

About the Author

By: Ericka Wadleigh
Exclusive for JulieCoRealty.com