Basics of Fremont Home Buying
The most important investment you will ever make is probably the purchase of a Fremont home. Finding the right home for you can be a long and arduous process, but there is no getting around that.
Know Your Wants and Needs
Before embarking on your journey of house hunting in Fremont, you must know what you really want to find. Sit down with pen and paper and list all the features you care most about, such as:
- Location (school attendance area or neighborhood)
- Size -- how many bedrooms and bathrooms
- Parking -- a 1-car garage or 2?
- Style -- 2-story house or ranch style home?
- Heating -- central heating and/or air conditioning?
Equally important, on a new sheet of paper list all the features you absolutely do not want in a house. For example:
- High-traffic area.
- High noise area (airport, train station or highway in close proximity)
-Maintenance -- major repairs needed
As you look at Fremont houses, keep both lists in mind. Your lists may change over time as you do more looking. You'll want to add or remove features, or perhaps you'll become willing to make compromises. Realize that you most likely will not find the "perfect" home. Experienced homebuyers will tell you, perfect homes are not found, they are made perfect through hard work.
Research Your Fremont Home-Buying Options
Decide what kind of property you are interested in. Do you want a HUD property, a foreclosure, real estate, or property for sale by owner?
Get Your Credit Report in Order
Prior to looking at Fremont properties, you must get your finances in order. This is the time to review your credit report and clean it up, if need be, to maximize your credit score. Many people do not realize how important it is to check your credit report periodically to make sure it is accurate. You should pay off any past due amounts, or negotiate a settlement price to close the debt. Get such agreements in writing, before paying any settlement. Keep all receipts for any settled items from your credit report since it may take months to get the debt actually removed.
Get Pre-Approved For a Loan
You're ready now to find a lender and get yourself pre-approved for the loan. Being pre-approved offers a number of advantages. It will clarify the price range you can afford. Also, once you find the home you want, you can place an immediate offer. If you have to wait for pre-approval, someone could buy the house right out from under you.
Several special programs are often available from lenders, such as the FHA and it can save you money in the closing or down payment. Ask the lender about any special programs before you decide on a loan.
Find a Good Fremont Real Estate Agent
It is wise for the first time Fremont homebuyer to work closely with a real estate agent, no matter what type of property you're looking for. A knowledgeable real estate agent will make your house-hunting much easier. A good real estate agent is usually a good negotiator, and will be able to help you with the complicated paperwork involved in placing an offer on a house or in closing a deal.
It's essential that you have a Fremont real estate agent working for you as the buyer, rather than relying on the seller's agent for the house you want to buy. The latter can involve a conflict of interest, which usually works to your disadvantage.
These are just the basics of Fremont home buying. You will find many details you need to master as you move through the buying process, but having these basics under your belt will give you a head start.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling, investing, or relocating in the Fremont real estate market. For complete information about the Fremont real estate market including current Fremont homes for sale, property values, market conditions and more please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything Fremont real estate related. www.ClydeBrownHomes.com.
If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and experienced Fremont real estate agent in or near Fremont Ca, or have real estate or mortgage related questions, please feel free to contact me I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me at 800-839-0665 or email me at Clyde@ClydeBrownHomes.com. Clyde Brown Legacy Real Estate & Associates.