I'm thinking about buying a home in Grand Junction CO. What is the next step?

We often get asked the question "I'm thinking about buying a home, what do I need to do next?" We love it when people ask that question because it shows that they have put some thought into reaching the goal of home ownership and aren't afraid to ask the first important question of many when it comes to purchasing real estate. First things first. Get qualified for your financing. You may have been searching the Internet for properties and doing the online mortgage calculators, but you really need to speak with a professional to gauge exactly what amount you are approved for. Even if you are approved for more you will want to discuss the payments at certain price points and be comfortable with that payment before you start shopping. Another factor is the type of financing you are getting. Are you going conventional, FHA, or VA? It is important to know this as well, because the different types of loans have different attributes that can affect the type and condition of the home you purchase. Once you have settled on your financing the next step is to contact a real estate professional who has experience in the area's you are thinking about purchasing in. Don't be afraid to interview agents. Once you feel comfortable with the agent you select you will want to engage them as your buyer's agent to advocate for you throughout the real estate buying process. Don't be afraid to research the area's you are interested in. Your buyer's agent should obviously know about these area's property values and what has been going on in the market, but it never hurts to do some investigating of your own. Your agent should start looking for suitable properties that fit your criteria. A few agents will give you access to a VIP buyers portal that will also allow you to search properties online at your leisure and save the ones of interest. Once you find the "one" your agent will discuss the offer, contract, property disclosures and the various other details of the real estate transaction. We will discuss this process in depth in future posts. If you are thinking about buying a home or other real estate in Grand Junction CO we would love to apply for the job and answer any questions you may have!