Buying a home in the Charlotte area can be a great adventure. Last time around we talked about the legal and financial considerations of purchasing a home. But there is a whole different angle to this process that you should consider.

Most people don’t buy or even think much about it during the winter. They wait until spring to start their physical hunt. Have you ever considered the advantages of starting to look when it’s still chilly outside?

You are going to live in the new house year round. Why wait until spring to start looking at properties? The listings are out there. Get out and drive the neighborhoods you think you might be interested in. Check out the places with for sale signs on them. Note the addresses and your impressions. This will be handy not only for those properties but for any that may end up being listed in the spring. You get a winter lay of the land.

During the winter months most vegetation has died back. This will give you a clearer look at the exterior of the house. You’ll be able to see imperfections or neat additional things that are normally covered by vegetation the rest of the year.

That winter die-back also lets you see more of the landscape possibilities and problems. You see the “bones” of the trees. You get a better idea of whether they need pruning. That can be either a big or an expensive job. You can more easily imagine the landscape done the way you might want it to be, rather than how the current owners have it done. When you visit a prospective home in the spring, everything is green, blooming and (hopefully) lovely and inviting.

Booking a viewing isn’t a bad idea either. Want to know how efficient the fireplace or heating system is working in a place? Walking through the house when those amenities are in use will tell you a lot! How energy efficient are the windows? Well, standing by one during the winter will tell you. You won’t need to take anyone’s word for it!

Is there a steep driveway at a house you are interested in? Driving it in winter would be a good idea, don’t you think? You don’t want to find out your car can’t make the climb in less than perfect weather after you’ve made the purchase!

Buying a Charlotte home can be an exciting time.  Starting the process off right can help to alleviate any problems along the way and make the whole experience less stressful.  Tiffany Johannes can help you from the beginning of the process, will find you your dream home and will be with you every step of the way until you are settled into your new home.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

If you are looking to buy a new home in the Charlotte area in 2012, securing a mortgage loan is among the first steps.  Lending standards will remain tight in 2012 but being proactive and well prepared can score you a great loan with an attractive rate. Here are some tips to help you improve your chances for success by being well prepared in advance when securing your mortgage loan.

Have Documents Ready
Every lender requests basic documents when applying for a mortgage.  Having some of these ready before arriving at the lender’s office can help to expedite the process.  You will need your last two pay stubs, W-2’s, income tax returns (it wouldn’t hurt to have from the last 2 years) and bank statements from the last 3 months.

To be super prepared and organized, you can put all documents in an electronic format.  This will help to resend quickly if necessary and to send to other lenders if it turns out you need to shop around.  Areas to ask about that cost you money include interest rates, points, closing costs, pre-paid expenses.  The type of loan you choose can also change your down payment amount and determine whether a mortgage insurance is required.

Know your Credit Score
Good credit – well, excellent credit – is the key to getting a great interest rate loan in today’s market.  Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680 to be compliance with the guidelines with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  There are other loan types which will accommodate slightly lower scores but you may not get the lowest interest rate available.

Before starting the process, obtain copies of your credit scores and credit history from all three major credit bureaus.  Study the reports to ensure there are no mistakes or issues that need to be cleared up before applying; sometimes it can take time to get errors taken off the report.

Determine Affordability
Don’t rely on your pre-approval amount and look for a home that meets the maximum price.  Instead, look at your income and budget to determine what you can comfortably afford.  You know best what extra expenses you splurge on each month, what you can cut back on and what you cannot.  Take into account that as a new homeowner, you will also have unexpected expenses with your new house and make room in your monthly budget accordingly.

Be Proactive
The clock starts once you submit your mortgage application and you need to act quickly with any and all requests so that there is no hold up in the approval process.  As a buyer, a delay in closing could affect your deposits and the contract in closing the home altogether so be sure to know your expected closing date and don’t be afraid to periodically follow up with the lender until the loan closes.

Do Not Take on More Credit
Until your loan closes, the lender can arbitrarily pull your credit and usually will right before the loan is set to close.  It’s smart to avoid making any large purchases or applying for new credit until after you have closed on your new Charlotte home.  You may feel the need to buy all new furnishings in anticipation of your new home but waiting will guarantee fewer problems in the loan process.

Buying a Charlotte home can be an exciting time.  Starting the process off right can help to alleviate any problems along the way and make the whole experience less stressful.  Tiffany Johannes can help you from the beginning of the process, will find you your dream home and will be with you every step of the way until you are settled into your new home.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.