By Irene Hall, REALTOR® with Keller Williams Atlanta North and Reid Clark, Senior Branch Manager for Silverton Mortgage

Real estate is about relationships and navigating your home purchase, especially as you consider a move to a new town. It can be an overwhelming experience if you don’t have someone in your corner.  Excitement, anticipation, readiness…anxiety, uncertainty, worry. All of these are normal emotions when moving to a new area and into a new home. Below are the top things to consider as you get ready to make your move.

Your Home Search

• Choose a licensed REALTOR® who has expertise in the areas you have under consideration for your next home. Their knowledge of local taxes, schools, neighborhoods, dining, entertainment and leisure are important factors which will guide you along your decision-making process.

• Having an in-person or online consultation is a must—it is the best way to ensure that your personalities gel and that you feel comfortable with the agent’s knowledge base of areas you are considering.

• Have a wants/needs list in mind once you meet with your REALTOR® so that everything you are looking for is considered when your agent begins your home search.

• Have key questions ready in advance to get the conversation started when you meet or email the agent.

Financing Your Dream

For the financing of your new home, you will want to speak with a reputable local lender prior to your buyer consultation. This will confirm your purchasing power as well as allow you to obtain a pre-approval letter so that you are able to make an offer once you find the perfect home.

Working with a local lender backed by a stellar reputation will make your offer stronger to a seller. National lenders without local relationships are not as attractive to agents or their sellers in this competitive market, and market conditions dictate that you need a solid letter from a proven lender to make an offer that stands above all the rest. To further strengthen an offer, it is preferable to go through lender underwriting prior to making an offer on a home, as this will allow you to close more quickly and make a “cleaner” offer with fewer contingencies—thus strengthening your potential to secure the home.

Being prepared at the beginning of your home search will ensure a less stressful, more rewarding home buying experience. Choosing the right home buying team to be in your corner will make all the difference as you make your move. Soon you will discover why so many people are looking to Atlanta as the place to call home.

For more information, visit hallhomespecialist.com and ReidClark.com.