When planning a mortgage, you have to consider many factors including your credit score, your income, your current monthly debts, and how much you have saved for down payment. It’s best to schedule an initial 15-minute phone call with a local lender to help you determine your purchasing power, how much you need for down payment and closing costs, and to see what you can expect for a monthly mortgage payment. You can also calculate your buying power by using our Mortgage Calculator.

A Pre-qualification gives you an estimate of what you can borrow while Pre-approvals give you what you actually can borrow. A Pre-qualification is a conversation with a lender which gives you a very preliminary idea of what you qualify for based on the information you provided to them. A lender will not run your credit for a pre-qualification, which only allows them to give you an estimate of your purchasing power. For a Pre-approval, a lender will run credit, collect income documents and complete a formal application. In addition, A Pre-approval is good for 120 days and will be needed to submit an offer on a home. To sum it up, if you are further than 4 months from your ideal move-in date, it might be best to obtain a Pre-qualification. If you are 3-4 months out from your ideal move-in date it would be best to complete the formal application, that is, a Pre-approval.

Generally, it is easier for foreigners to qualify for a US home loan if they are permanent residents with a green card or non-permanent residents with a valid work visa. The type of loan program, down payment and interest rate that a foreigner will qualify for, is dependent on the type of documentation they have. It is best to consult a local lender to see what is available for your unique scenario.

Whether you are planning on buying a home 3 months from now or 12 months from now, it's important to meet with an agent to discuss current market conditions, what to expect during the process, and how to prepare to be as competitive as possible. There is a lot to learn about the home buying process before we start touring houses, and we want to set you up for a successful and smooth experience from the start.

The simple answer is, it depends. Are you thinking about buying “new” or “resale”? This question is important to answer because the timeline differs drastically between the two.

New construction is typically 8-12 months out before you actually settle on your home. Taking into consideration build time, availability, delays in construction, supply chain, and material delays, not to mention the time it takes for you to find the right home, land, or neighborhood, and the right builder.

On the other hand, for resale, you most likely want to start looking 3-6 months out, considering our current inventory shortage. You should account for the time it takes to find a home, as well as the time it takes to close (which can be anywhere from 30-60 days once you are under contract). If you're thinking about buying a home, even if you're just in the "scrolling through Zillow in bed" phase, send us a message! We would love to send you our free homebuyer’s guide and answer any questions you may have about the next steps.

In most cases, it’s best to have your own buyer's agent. The listing agent has a fiduciary duty to the seller by signing a contract with them first, making you, as a buyer, the second interest. To ensure your best interest, you want an experienced agent working for you to get the best price and terms that are best suited for your scenario. We are here to provide you with that support.

The biggest selling point of foreclosed homes is, of course, their extremely marked-down price. However, there are a few things you need to know about foreclosures. The most important one is that they are typically sold in "as-is" condition. This can mean hidden problems for you as the buyer. If you time it right and you’re willing to put in the effort, a foreclosed home can be a great deal, but it is important to have someone on your side to guide you through the process. Find a real estate agent that is familiar with foreclosure properties (like us!) who can guide you in buying and selling these types of homes.

With inventory still low, more and more people have been considering buying new construction. If this is something you're interested in, we recommend hiring a buyer's agent to help you research qualified, reputable builders and guide you through the inspection process. We can also help you determine which upgrades make sense for “resale” value and which do not, and which items will cost you less to do now rather than later down the road. Lastly, when you hire a buyer's agent for a new construction home, we can help you understand what is included in the sale price, and what is not, so you can know what to expect after seeing a model home.

Homes typically appreciate year over year, with some neighborhoods and areas appreciating more than others. In the current market, there are a lot of buyers and there are limited homes. Therefore, there is a high demand for homes and very little inventory, which has made homes drastically appreciate over the last few years. The sellers could potentially have a higher offer or an offer with better terms (stronger down payment, more appealing closing date, waiving contingencies, and so on) on the table along with yours. However, with our agents, you will be equipped with the maximum support and expertise to get you the best deal.

Since PA is not an attorney state, an attorney is not needed. Your agent will help guide you through the process. However, it is always an option to obtain one to read over the agreement.

Yes, you can! The PAR agreement of sale is a standardized fillable document where your agent will input your offer specifics.

Closing costs are the fees that are needed to close and get keys for your new home> This includes the lender fees, transfer tax (1% paid by the buyer and 1% paid by the seller in PA), escrow fees such as your taxes, and homeowners insurance. Closing costs typically range from 2.5% - 3% of the purchase price of the home.

Home inspections are important when buying a home. As a future homeowner, you’ll want to find out everything you can that could be wrong with the home. Would you buy a car without test driving it or having a mechanic check it? A general home inspection is a must, but you can also select the termite/pest inspection, radon inspection, water inspection (if well water), septic inspection, stucco inspection, and lead paint inspection. As your agent, we will guide you through this process.

As a buyer, you are generally responsible for the deposit, inspection fees, appraisal costs, down payment, and closing costs.