Buying A Home

"Next to food and clothing, the housing of a nation is its most vital problem...The sentiment for home ownership is embedded in the American heart [of] millions of people who dwell in tenements, apartments and rented rows of solid brick...This aspiration penetrates the heart of our national wellbeing. It makes for happier married life. It makes for better children. It makes for courage to meet the battle of life..."
~Herbert Hoover - During the Great Depression 1931

Buyer's Tips: Where Do I Start?

The first thing that many buyers ask me is, “Where do I begin?” 

• Buyer Interview - Understanding and evaluating a buyer’s needs is probably the most important part of the buying process.  A casual 20 minute interview can do more to help a client truly reach their objective than anything else.  Regardless of what type of property they are considering: a home, an investment property, land, 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange, anything.  From this meeting we then develop a needs assessment list.
• Pick a Town - This is especially important for people relocating to Maine.  I usually encourage them to pick their top three, and place them in order.  Anything can be easily changed about a home, except for its location.   
• Money -  Meeting with a good lender is probably the second most important part of the search.  The importance of this step is often underestimated.  With today’s frequently changing financing guidelines, problem solving and product knowledge is the name of the game.  Given each client's needs, I will frequently recommend a good lender to work with.
• Starting the Search -  Too often, I see people start here and try and work backwards.  Not the worst thing you can do but pretty close.  Without laying a good foundation you could be wasting your time.           

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