When you are getting ready to buy a new home, signing a contract with a professional realtor is typically the best way to find what you really want. Not only can the real estate agent help find the ideal home and set up all of your home viewing appointments, they are helpful in making sure that the process of escrow runs smoothly, as well as helping you find inspectors and many other details. However, before you sit down with a realtor, there are some things you need to do first.

It’s always wise to meet with a lender and get loan pre-approval prior to beginning a home search. The lender will look over your finances and determine the amount of money that the lending company is willing to provide to you. This amount plus your down payment is typically the highest amount that you can afford comfortably. However, even if you are pre-approved for $300,000 and have an addition $30,000 for the down payment, you might still want to spend less. Be sure to tell your realtor what you are pre-approved for and, more importantly, what you are comfortable spending.

In addition to sharing your budget, your realtor also needs to understand what types of homes you like and what home features you really want. Write down the approximate home size you want, as well as the number of bathrooms and bedrooms. Include information such as wanting an open floor plan, a finished basement and a two- or three-car garage. Other features you might want include a kitchen with an island and granite countertops or a fireplace in the family room. The more you share, the easier it will be for your real estate agent to understand your needs and style.

Keep in mind that it is doubtful that you could ever find a home that fulfills everything on your wish list. You must be willing to compromise here and there. It’s always wise to consider the location and the „bones“ of any home and look beyond the cosmetic elements. You cannot move the home, so you better like the location and the size and layout of the yard. Sometimes you can alter or enlarge the interior of your home, but these are expensive changes that take a long time. So if the layout seems good and the location is great, try to look past the ugly paint on the bedroom walls and horrible chandelier in the dining room as these can be fixed easily.

Also be sure to provide your realtor a list of items that you don’t like. This might include highly important elements such as not being located on a busy road or perhaps looking at homes in a specific neighborhood that you don’t like. If you hate contemporary homes or despise split-level home layouts, tell your realtor so that she skips these styles. Many people do not have the budget or time to handle many home projects, so be sure to be clear if you don’t want a true fixer-upper. Sharing your likes and dislikes provides your realtor with a clearer picture of what you want.

With nearly four decades of experience, the realtors at Nixon Real Estate can help you find the perfect property for your budget and needs. They can find Fredericksburg real estate, San Antonio real estate, Kerrville real estate and any type of real estate in Texas Hill Country. Whether you need a single family home, a commercial property or a large piece of land, contact Nixon Real Estate today and get started on your search.

Pammy McGrath enjoys reading real estate blogs. If you are looking for certified Fredericksburg Texas real estate agents, or to find a Fredericksburg Texas homes for sale, please go to the Nixon Real Estate website now.