Disclaimer:  the information on this website is deemed accurate and reliable at time of posting however should never substitute the advice from an attorney or tax professional.  Procedures vary from state to state and only a licensed professional can more accurately assess any liabilities or tax repercussions of buying or selling foreclosures/short sales. This site is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, tax or real estate advice.  Always contact an attorney, tax professional or retain a real estate professional for such advice

Welcome First time home buyer

So you have decided to purchase your first home, congrats!  You truly couldn’t have picked a better time to make the smartest investment of your lifetime!  This online resource is designed to give you not only information about the process but also what you can expect when purchasing a home.

Should I be stressed out?

I once read a statistic that said “Purchasing Real Estate is second only to losing a family member in terms of stress”.  I think the people who said that just didn’t do their homework!  Purchasing a home is one of the most satisfying experiences you will ever have.  You are growing up, you are settling down, you are BUILDING WEALTH!  Do you realize there is not one self-made success story out there that “rents” a home/apartment?

Choosing your Realtor

Well obviously you started off on the right foot because you are here!  You more than likely ended up on my website either through the urging of a friend/past client of mine or through a simple google search on “first time home buyers”.  Regardless of how you found me, I am glad you are here.  To learn more about me or contact our team, we are just one click away!

Choosing the right Realtor for your home purchase is a very important aspect of your home search!  You should look for someone with experience, works as a Realtor full time and above all someone that you feel comfortable with and trust.  After all, you are about to make the largest purchase of your life thus far, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable with someone who is successful at making buyer’s dreams a reality?  There are many “Realtor Questionnaires” out there for you to consider (try googling “Choose a Realtor”).  Since you are already here I would like to tell you about the Jennifer Walker Derby Team and alsoshare some of our positive experiences we’ve had with other past clients. 

Jennifer Walker-Derby and team members assist both experienced and first time home buyers throughout Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Douglas and Fulton counties.  Our areas of expertise include:  New Construction, Resale, Foreclosure / REO's, Short Sales, HUD homes, Townhomes, Condos, Land / Acreage, Lakefront properties, Earthcraft / Green Construction, handicapped accessible properties and more!

We specialize in the west and northwest areas of metro Atlanta:  Acworth, Atlanta, Austell,Canton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, Kennesaw, Lithia Springs, Mableton, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Villa Rica, Vinings and Woodstock.

Getting pre-approved with a lender

This is your next important step.  You can get pre-approved with any lending institution whether it is your local bank branch or a recommendation from the fabulous Realtor you have already chosen.  Through the qualification process the lender will ask some questions about your employment, income, assets and run a credit check.  Within 24 hours (usually same day) the lender will issue your pre-qualification letter.

At this point it is very important to have a frank discussion with that lender.  You have been qualified up to “X” amount, the question is:  are you comfortable with the payments at “X” amount?  Take some time to talk to the lender about payment scenarios and get a good understanding of what your financial obligation (monthly payment) would be for each pricing tier.  For example:  your lender pre-approves you for $200,000.  Ask the lender what your monthly payment would be for $150,000, $175,000 and $200,000.

Keep in mind that you are not bound to this lender, you are simply receiving your pre-approval so your Realtor can take your home search to the next level.

The Next Level

OK, you have chosen a fantastic Realtor (thanks!) and you are now armed with a pre-approval letter, now what?  This is the time to sit with your Realtor and discuss what you are looking for in a home.  What area do you want to live in?  What price range do you feel comfortable in?  What style home do you prefer?  Do you like newer or older construction?  Do you want to stay in a particular school district?  How many bedrooms?  Bathrooms?  Fenced yard for the dog?  Flat lot for the kids?  A basement for your art studio?  A workshop or oversized garage for your hobby?

Your Realtor will take all this criteria into account and begin the search.  Once all your criteria are inputted you may find there are limited choices to look at.  It may make better sense to remove “fenced yard” from the query so the number of matching properties increases (you can always add your own fence later).

Narrowing down the listings

Sometimes (depending on the location and price range) there may be hundreds of results that match your criteria.  Obviously no one looks at hundreds of homes in person before making their selection!  What your Realtor may do is send you all the homes that match your criteria and YOU narrow them down to your top 15 or 20 that you would like to visit in person.  I always tell my clients “I can bring you the listings but unless you want me moving in, you need to decide what you like in a house and what you don’t”.

The first cut is normally narrowed down by photos.  Photos can tell you a lot about a house!  Another great idea is utilizing technology such as google mapping.  The MLS search feature on JenniferWalkerDerby.com has this technology built right in.  That way you can map locations, find your closest Starbucks and check out the street views of the subdivision without ever leaving your computer.  It is also common for buyers to just drive neighborhoods in the final narrowing down phase.  You can love the house but not the neighborhood; you can love the neighborhood but not the area.  You will never know until you get out there!

Time to see it in person!

So you have driven neighborhoods and narrowed down your final list, now it’s time to go see these homes.  This is where the fun begins!  Photos can tell you a lot about a home but you still need to see it, touch it (and sometimes smell it) to see if it is a good fit for you!

In addition to narrowing down properties, chauffeuring you to homes and opening doors, this is really where your Realtor’s expertise comes into play!  As we drive in the driveway I will tell you hard it is to re-sell a home on a busy street.   As we walk up the path to the front door I can point out any defective siding and school you on the differences of stucco.  By the age of the home I will know whether there is a chance of aluminum wiring or polybutylene piping.  I can also tell you the importance of termite treatments.  Once inside not only can I give you insights into upgrades and special features but also point out defects that even if it doesn’t apply to you now, it may affect you when you go to sell down the road.

Remember, I am your Realtor now and for life!

Your Dream Home Realized

It felt like home the minute you walked in.  You can see yourself baking in the kitchen, enjoying bubble baths in the Jacuzzi tub, tinkering in the garage.  What’s next?
It’s offer time!  Now you will see my negotiating skills put to the test all the while protecting you with every turn.  Financing contingency?  Check!  Appraisal & Inspection contingency?  Check, check!  So now you are “Under Contract” on your Dream Home.  What happens next?

Now we are back to working on your loan!  I have a wonderfully informative page on What to expect with the Lending Process that also includes a breakdown of the Buyer Incentives that the government is offering!

If you have chosen an amazing team of Real Estate professionals (Realtor, Lender, Inspector, Closing Attorney) then it is all smooth sailing from here!
Experience counts so rely on the Jennifer Walker Derby team to assist you when purchasing your first or next home!  We would love for you to be a part of our many success stories!

Jennifer Walker-Derby and team members assist home buyers in Acworth, Austell, Atlanta, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, Kennesaw, Lithia Springs, Mableton, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Vinings and Woodstock!  Contact us today to take the first step in home ownership!