1.  Find the right Realtor
Even if you’re not quite ready to buy, your Realtor can be an absolute wealth of information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments you might not have know about otherwise.  Speak to your Realtor first and he or she can be helping you right from the start. If you do not have a Realtor we would love to help. Contact me any time and I or one of my capable Realtors will be happy to answer any of your questions. Julie Martin, Broker/President, Port City Realty 251-665-4665 / julie@portcityrealty.com.

2.  Find out what your price range is
Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval.  Just speaking to your lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly on renovating). We have information on some great lenders that can get you started on our Lenders, Insurance & More tab.

3.  Find out what your local market looks like
The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research.  Start with your Realtor – he or she can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing you real estate listings that may interest you (or at least give you a better idea of what your needs and wants are).

4.  Find out what your true needs and wants are
Compose a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market conditions, your price range.

5.  Find your dream home!
Once you’re ready to act, you may be surprised by how quickly you can make a decision.  Armed with your pre-approval, a little market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, call your Realtor, hit the pavement, and when you see ‘the house’, put in an offer. 

With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!

Your Realtor
A successful purchase starts with the right Realtor. In fact, once you’ve selected the best Realtor to assist you, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team. If you do not have a Realtor we would love to help. Contact me any time and I or one of my capable Realtors will be happy to answer any of your questions. Julie Martin, Broker/President, Port City Realty 251-665-4665 / julie@portcityrealty.com.

Lender
A bank is not just a bank. Having the right backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Ask your Realtor for a list of lenders that they have had good experiences with. The is a great list on our tab - Insurance, Inspectors & More.

Home Inspector
No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your Realtor for a list of certified inspectors or click on Insurance, Inspectors & More.

Contractor
Planning some renovations? You’re not the only one! The home renovation industry is booming, and in some markets, booking a contractor must be done months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead will almost certainly make your renovation smoother, and you contractor will appreciate the advance notice. We have contractors on our Insurance, Inspectors & More tab also!