Once the holidays are over and we enter the new year, the market slowly starts to heat up until it's red hot in the spring, continuing this frenzied pace well into the summer months.  If you are looking around now at Open Houses and your house is still on the market, are you prepared?  If you find the house of your dreams and you are not Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage, will the seller wait for you to do so?  Are you ready to bid competitively with your Cedar Rapid's Realtor to get this house?  If the answer is no to any of these questions read on!  These are some tips to remember when buying in a market that is warm right now and only going to get red hot in the coming weeks.

  1. Are you checking out new listings as they come onto the Internet?  Do you know that your Cedar Rapid's Realtor Christopher Smith can do this for you.  Just give him your search criteria and he will email you instantly when a new listing appears on the Realtor database that fits your search criteria.
  2. Have a good relationship with your Realtor so that when a new listing comes onto the market, you are prepared to see this listing and act appropriately if you love this house.
  3. Get pre-qualified for a mortgage.  Christopher Smith only works with lenders that get the job done.  Many buyers lose out on the "house of their dreams" because they are not pre-qualified, still have their house on the market, or some other reason.
  4. Be in good communication with your significant other or family in case you need to make an important decision to purchase a home.  Knowing your "needs" ahead of time can eliminate any undue stress with the type of house you buy.
  5. Work with your Realtor to offer the right price.  If you really want the house you have just seen with your Realtor, then GET IT!  Your Realtor is paid to negotiate the right offer and a major portion of a successful offer is the asking price.  Do you know that $1000 at 6% over a 30 Year Fixed Rate Loan is only $6.00 per month on your loan?  Is it really worth it to low ball an offer or not offer top dollar for a home if it meets all of your needs and especially gives you that WOW factor when you walk in the door. 
  6. The fewer contingencies or barriers you have to purchasing this home, the better.  If you still have a home to sell, still need a loan, still need to improve your credit, etc., then you are not prepared to buy.  The fewer contingencies you have, the more the odds are in your favor.
  7. In a tight market, buyers tend to pull on the first tug on their "home buying" line.  Be patient!  If a home you wanted takes the bait and runs, there are other "fish" in the sea, and YOUR HOME will appear.  It just might take some time and more digging by your Realtor. 
  8. Make certain your Realtor knows the quickest way to get a hold of you.  Make sure your significant other has a way to reach you as well, in case you need to leave work right away to see a house.  The difference in your planning and preparation can mean the difference between getting and not getting the house of your dreams!

I want to make certain you get your house and in order to do this, you need to be prepared and ready to act!  I can help you with all aspects of this planning period before buying.  Please call Christopher Smith at 319-329-5988 or email Christopher@Skogman.com for immediate "Service With a Smith."  I specialize in only one thing: SERVICE!