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A Guide For First Time Home Buyers In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

A Guide For First Time Home Buyers In Omaha, NE If you are looking to purchase your first home in Omaha, NE then you won’t want to miss today’s blog post! 

The home buying process for first time buyers is very exciting, yet also can seem daunting and overwhelming at times. That is why we have outlined the process in a few simple steps below in hopes that you can familiarize yourself with what to expect. Ready to find your first home? Let’s dive in! 

-The first thing you want to do is get an idea of the type of property you are looking for. This will help you effectively communicate your wants and needs to your realtor and keep you from wasting your time at showings that ultimately will not interest you.

-Next, find a great real estate agent. This step is crucial because not only will you be spending a lot of time with your realtor, but you want to find someone that has extensive knowledge of the area, is hard working and will work in your best interest. Your relationship with your real estate agent will be the foundation of your home buying process, so make sure you find someone you can trust. 

-Find a lender and work with your loan agent to figure out which mortgage is right for you. You will then follow the application process and submit all required material.

-This is where the fun starts – find your dream home! Your agent will begin setting up showings with potential properties that fit your criteria and budget. 

-Once you find a property that you love you will work with your real estate agent to craft an offer on the home. The offer will have specifics such as price, proposed settlement date and contingencies. 

 

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers - whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!

Tips For First Time Home Buyers In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

First Time Home Buying Tips OmahaThere are few events in life more exciting, momentous and nerve-racking than buying your first home. You may be combing the web for the ideal school district or find yourself driving around neighborhoods trying to picture which cul-de-sac you could settle into. However, there are also moments where, especially for first time home buyers, you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the process. 

In an effort to settle some nerves and calm potential anxiety, we have focused this blog post on discussing tips for first time home buyers:

-Our first tip for you is to start saving early for your down payment. It is common to put around twenty percent of the purchase price down, so starting to save early on can help be a big asset. Your future self will thank you!

-Check on your credit. Many people don’t realize how big of a factor their credit score is on the approval process for a mortgage loan. Staying on top of your credit score and improving areas that need some work will help you when you to go apply for a mortgage. 

-Figure out how much you qualify for before you start house shopping. The worst feeling is to get emotionally attached to a home you can’t afford, so knowing where you stand and what you can afford will make the process a little smoother. 

-Prior to starting your home search, take a few minutes and write out a list of the non-negotiables you want in your home. This can be anything from location to square footage – anything that you can’t live without in your next abode. It will not only force you to narrow in on what you are looking for, but it will also help your realtor get a better idea of what to start showing you.

-Find the right realtor. You will find throughout the home buying process that your realtor becomes your new best friend. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a knowledgeable, hardworking, honest and committed agent by your side. It really will make all the difference. 

-Our last tip for you is to have fun and enjoy the process! 

 

The fun doesn't have to stop here! If you want more home buying tips check out our "Omaha Nebraska Home Buying Tips" page here

Tips For First Time Home Buyers In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

It’s true when they say that buying a house is one of the largest financial investments most people will make in their lifetime. With that said, it comes as no surprise when people have a cautious approach to the home buying process and want to gather as much information as possible before they sign on the dotted line. This is especially true for first time home buyers as they navigate the mix of excitement and nerves of owning their first property. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be breaking down a few tips and tricks for first time home buyers in hopes to make the process a little easier and more enjoyable. Let’s dive right in! 

-Get a copy of your credit report to get an understanding of where you stand, and start doing your research to find a reputable mortgage company you want to work with. 

-It is a good idea to get prequalified for your home loan prior to starting the home search so you know what area/homes are in your budget.

-Start putting money aside early for your down payment and closing costs so you are prepared to pull the trigger when you find your dream home. 

-Figure out where you want to live – what neighborhood is best for your family, the school district you want to be in, how far the commute will be for work and what style home fits your taste. 

-Before you settle on your home, make sure to have it checked by a home inspector so there are no surprises down the road. 

For first time home buyers, the feelings of excitement for their new abode can often be accompanied (and at times overshadowed) by feeling nervous and overwhelmed by the whole home buying process. Fear not, this is totally normal! However, with a little knowledge under your belt, the whole process can begin to feel more familiar - thus calming the nerves – and allowing you to get back to enjoying the experience. And as you may have guessed, that is exactly what we are going to be chatting about in today’s blog. Below we have listed ten tips to help first time home buyers understand and navigate the home buying process with ease. Enjoy!
 
1.) The first tip is to attain a copy of your credit report. There are numerous online websites you can get this from to better understand the health and history of your credit so there are no surprises.
 
2.) The second tip is to improve your credit score if necessary. There are various ways to do this such as paying down high balances on cards that are currently open.
 
3.) The third tip is to get pre-approved before you start your house hunting search. This will allow you to understand what you can afford and thus search areas/neighborhoods accordingly. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with something that is out of your budget range. 
 
4.) The fourth tip is to see if you qualify for an FHA loan, which is a government-backed mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, and popular for first time home buyers.
 
5.) The fifth tip is to know and fully understand your down payment options. 
 
6.) The sixth tip is to hire an experienced real estate agent to represent and work with you during the home buying process. This is a very crucial step as you will be working closely with your agent and you want to be sure they are familiar the local market and understand your wants/needs.
 
7.) The seventh tip is to budget for all homeownership expenses. Many people only focus on what the house itself with cost, but sometimes do not consider all the other costs that will arise. Again, you want to do your best to alleviate all surprises for the future.
 
8.) The eighth tip is to understand your debt-to-income ratio, and to make adjustments where needed.
 
9.) The ninth tip is to check for first-time home buyer grants and programs to see if you can take advantage of any that are being offered. 
 
10.) And finally, our tenth step is to fully understand the different types of loans that are available. This will ensure that you are making the right decision for you and your family. 

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

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Photo of Heim-Berg Team Real Estate
Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

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