Buyer Tips
from Your Main Line Buyer Agency

Buying a new home is a huge and complex financial decision. It will be smooth and trouble-free if you act on these helpful tips:

 

 
Find the Right Buyer’s Agent

Protect your interests by calling Sage Realty, an exclusive buyer’s agency, before beginning your home search. We have your goals in mind and will act as your personal advocate to develop real estate strategies for you, the buyer. In fact, we’ll help you through each of the steps below!
 
Check Your Credit
Make sure to check your credit to see if any errors have been made! By law, you are allowed to correct mistakes. Taking the time to clean up your credit report before applying for a mortgage can result in significant savings over the term of the loan.
 
Make Use of Technology
There’s a lot of information out there to help you make a wise decision when buying a home. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find or easy to use. At Sage, we’re experts in today’s technology and will make sure you get all the information you need, including daily listings with addresses and photos, contract forms, floor plans, seller disclosure materials and community information.

Decide What You Want
Your home is much more than a collection of bedrooms, bathrooms and an outdoor deck. It’s where you relax, work, entertain friends and raise your family. Before you begin your search, take the time to evaluate what is most important to you in a home. By defining what you want and the right location, you won’t be tempted to purchase a house that feels right, but is lacking some essential element. See some popular home styles and decide what suits you, click here
  for examples from REALTOR® Magazine.

Talk to Lenders
Even in today’s market, there are many mortgage options available: you can get financing through mortgage bankers and brokers, mutual savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations and insurance companies. At Sage, we’ll help you evaluate the terms various lenders can give you to find a loan that is in your best interest. Most people make assumptions about the way lenders will look at them which are incorrect. For a guide on what to ask a potential lender check out our Choosing a Lender page.

Work Out Your Budget
Before you start looking, determine how much house you can afford. What monthly payments would you be comfortable with? Remember to factor in any down payment, taxes, association fees, home insurance, etc. By working the numbers ahead of time, you can buy with confidence. We can help you by looking up local taxes, typical utility costs, transportation expenses and other items you might not consider.

 

   
 

Seek Pre-Approval
Pre-approval helps you in several ways: you will know exactly the price range you need to work within, you will be able to provide a letter indicating preliminary approval to demonstrate to sellers that you are financially strong enough to buy their home, and you won’t be rushed into making a less-than-perfect financing decision in order to close a deal.
 
Shop the Market
At Sage, we guarantee that we will show you all the houses that meet your criteria, regardless of the commission. We’re looking for the right home for you, so we’ll help you shop around to see everything that’s available, including homes that have low commissions or are “For Sale By Owner.” Many agents will not do this.

Analyze the Offer Price
You can’t assume that homes are priced correctly on the market. You do not want to be victimized by unknowingly offering too much for a home. Once you've shopped around, we’ll help you analyze comparable homes to determine the right offer price. 

Negotiate Wisely and With Help

People buy perhaps 3 or 4 homes in a lifetime. Even buyers with negotiating skills should not go it alone. Your Sage Realty agent has negotiated in the residential real estate arena with many of the local selling agents and knows all the techniques you will need to get the best deal. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.

Use an Exclusive Agency
Take advantage of the newest and best type of buyer representation–an exclusive agency. This type of company focuses ONLY on buyers. The agents are trained as advocates for YOU. They have no allegiance to sellers that will distract them from keeping YOUR interests first. 
 
For a trouble-free buying experience,
Call us today at 610.687.4000  

 
Serving real estate needs of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA) Main Line Communities of
Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Berwyn, Broomall, Bryn Mawr, Devon, Exton, Gladwyne, Haverford, Havertown, Malvern, Media, Narberth, Paoli, Phoenixville, Radnor, Rosemont, St Davids, Springfield, Strafford, Villanova, Wallingford, Wayne, West Chester, Wynnewood and Other Main Line Real Estate. Home | Sitemap

 

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