Buyer Tips
Home Buyer
Thinking about buying a home? Congratulations! Whether it’s your first home or the most recent of many, homeownership is an experience like no other – and it’s also a smart investment for the future. But, it doesn’t come without lots of planning and decision-making, and that’s a good thing.
You need a good agent and in most circumstances you won’t know what a good agent is like until you interview a few. I recommend that you learn about how they handle buying process and what they can do for you to protect your best interests.
Buyers Tips
The National Association of Realtors 2023 report indicated that 32% of the U.S. home sales were to first-time buyers, so don’t feel you are alone if you aren’t familiar with all the intricacies of buying a house.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you start your search for the perfect home:
- Keep an eye on mortgage interest rates. We’ve had remarkably low interest rates during the past decade that all the experts expect will rise in the coming months and years
- Be realistic about how much you can comfortably afford for a monthly payment
- Don’t forget the possible extra cost of private mortgage insurance, or PMI, for borrowers who don’t have 20 percent down payment on the home. You may not need PMI after you reach a certain level of equity in the house
- Don’t let your emotions get the better of you in a bidding war over a house, and avoid the sometimes risky practice of waiving inspection and repair contingencies just because you are caught up in a bidding situation
- Be aware of how the waterline of a property on lake or river can advance or retreat. The shore of a lake can turn into a mud pit during dry months or a river can breach its banks during stretch of particularly heavy rain
Find Your Perfect Home In West Michigan
They Trusted Me
"My husband and I had the privilege of experiencing first class service while working with Alix of Patriot Realty. Not only did she complete the job we asked of her, but went above and beyond our expectations to make sure we were completely satisfied! We look forward to working with her again as we prepare to buy a new house in the near future, and have and will continue to recommend her to anyone in need. "
"We reached out to Alix Criswell when my wife and I decided that we were ready to purchase a house. From the very first showing she more than proved herself to be a very capable Realtor. She guided us through the ins and outs of that first house and provided a detailed history of the house and property. We must have looked at twenty or so houses after that, and each time Alix was waiting for us with a folder filled with all the possible information you could want or need. She always paid attention to what we liked and did not like about houses we had seen, which helped us to get an idea of exactly what our home should be. When we finally found it, there was no question…we were home! "
"IIt is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for Alix Criswell of Patriot Realty. If you are looking for a Realtor who offers exceptional customer service, you will not be disappointed in Alix. Alix is thorough and detail-oriented, making her client’s experience as “stress free” as possible. She truly has her client’s best interest at heart. Based on my personal experience working with Alix, I would not hesitate to recommend her if you are in need of an exceptional Realtor."
Ready to work together?
Guidepost Real Estate, LLC
Realtor ®, ABR, GRI, PSA, SRES