Housing is Back!
As 2015 gets underway, all signs point to a very strong year in housing. Phrases such as “housing is back” and “mortgage rates are low” will be commonplace and our agents at Haggerty Realty will be happily meeting the needs of our buyers and sellers.
The Golden Ticket
With that being said, there is one important tool that benefits everyone in the home-buying process, and that is for buyers to get pre-approved for financing. A pre-approval from a financial institution is like the “golden-ticket,” it tells everyone involved; the buyer agent, selling agent and sellers that you are a ready and serious shopper.
The One
At Haggerty Realty we get very excited about our listings, we love to create interest in our properties and to talk with you about them! It may seem we’re reluctant to show you a property when we ask if you are pre-approved, but there are numerous reasons you should want to be pre-approved. It takes very little time, and the lender can explain different lending products – you can shop for loans too! They’ll explain interest rates, how much you can spend and what your payments will be.
Knowledge is power!
A pre-approval will make you a more attractive buyer too. What if you fall in love with a house, it’s “the one” but you’re not the only one that’s in love with it? Which offer do you think the seller will consider-the one that has their pre-approval in place. You’ll also be advised of what not to do; like buy a car or quit your job. We work with many lenders and we can certainly help you find one.
“Just Looking”
We’ve often met shoppers who are “kicking the tires” or “just want to see what a house looks like for that price” but we have a responsibility to our sellers (who have tidied up their house and gathered up their family to disappear for an hour)that who we walk through is a qualified buyer.
As the busy housing season gears-up… shop prepared, get your golden ticket and give us a call 207-353-9500.
NEXT MONTH: The benefits of hiring a "Boutique" Agency
Images courtesy of digitalart, iosphere, Stuart Miles respectively at FreeDigitalPhotos.net