Find Your Dream Home: Realtor or Lender First? You Decide!

Are you dreaming of owning your own home? The journey to finding your dream home can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, it often begs the question: should you reach out to a realtor first or a lender? Making this decision can significantly impact your home buying experience and the eventual success of your purchase. 

Knowing where to start on your home buying journey is crucial, and it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. But fear not! Our experienced mortgage loan officers are here to guide you through this process and help you take the first step towards homeownership.

When pondering whether to connect with a realtor or a lender first, it's important to understand the distinct roles of each professional and how they contribute to your home buying journey.

Realtors are your go-to experts for finding the right property, negotiating the deal, and ensuring a smooth home buying process. They have a deep understanding of the housing market, and their expertise can help you find the perfect home that meets your needs and preferences.

On the other hand, mortgage lenders play a pivotal role in securing the financing needed to purchase your dream home. They assess your financial situation, provide you with mortgage pre-approval, and guide you through the loan application process. By working with a knowledgeable lender, you can gain insights into the various mortgage options available to you and determine the best financing solution for your specific circumstances.

So, should you start by engaging with a realtor or a lender? The answer lies in understanding the benefits of approaching each professional.

If you choose to connect with a realtor first, you can benefit from their expertise in finding the right property. Realtors have a keen eye for matching your preferences with available homes in the market. By discussing your housing needs with a realtor, you can narrow down your search, visit potential homes, and get a sense of what's out there. This initial step can help you envision your future home and gain a clearer understanding of what you're looking for.

Conversely, initiating the process with a lender can provide you with a realistic budget and a clear understanding of your financing options. By seeking mortgage pre-approval, you'll gain insight into the amount you can borrow, the interest rates available to you, and the various loan programs that suit your financial situation. This information is invaluable as it empowers you to focus on homes that are within your budget and ensures a more efficient home search.

You can then focus your home search on areas where you know that you can afford the home you find.  In addition, going into a home search pre-approved demonstrates that you are serious about purchasing a home.  As a result you will get more attention from the realtor as they know a sale is just the right showing away.

In addition, knowing your financial picture helps you select a realtor that knows the areas where you are searching, improving your chances a scooping an early listing, and helps you avoid selecting a realtor that maybe specializes in an area or house price outside of your comfort zone. If a realtor generally works with multi-million dollar homes, but your budget is more modest, do you think you will get the same level of attention as the client whose commission will be that much higher?

At our mortgage company, we recommend that you take the time to evaluate your purchasing power first. Our expertise in mortgage financing allows us to provide you with valuable insights, personalized guidance, and a comprehensive understanding of the mortgage process.

Once we have a comprehensive picture of your purchasing options, we can work with you to find a reputable realtor that knows the areas and price ranges where you will be focusing your search.

So, if you're ready to take the first step towards finding your dream home, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team of dedicated loan officers is committed to helping you achieve your homeownership goals and ensuring that your home buying experience is nothing short of exceptional. 

Get in touch with us today, and let's embark on this exciting journey together.