IN Millcreek Summer 2024 | Page 68

REAL ESTATE SPECIAL SECTION SUMMER 2024
LET US HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT PLACE TO CALL HOME
We are full‐time agents committed to providing exceptional service to our clients !

TONI & DENNIS SMITH TEAM RE / MAX TOP PRODUCING TEAM 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019

We offer sellers professional photography & videography services , home staging & decorating advice , & clean out services .
RE / MAX Real Estate Group Toni ’ s Cell : 814-746-0400 Dennis ’ Cell : 814-392-5647 814-833-9801 ext 248 2701 Evanston Ave , Ste 200 , Erie thetonianddennissmithteam . com
Each office independently owned and operated
WANT TO BUY IN 2024 ?
You ’ re ready to buy a house . Whether it ’ s your first home , your forever home , or your retirement home , buying a house is an exciting and exhausting experience . Make sure you ’ re prepared , with knowledge of the market and what exactly you ’ re looking for in a home .
1 . Watch your credit . Start preparing early by avoiding expensive purchases on your credit card and making sure you don ’ t deposit a large amount of money into your bank account . The first thing lenders check is your credit score and bank balances to determine how much you could be approved for on a home loan . Try to pay off as much debt as possible in advance of your home purchase and keep your credit card balances low .
2 . Where in the world ? Identify the locations where you ’ re interested in living and check out home prices in those areas . You don ’ t want to have your heart set on a location and come to find it is out of your budget . Determine what you like about certain areas , such as the school district , accessibility to work , and proximity to parks and restaurants . Your real estate agent can then help you narrow down more specific locations in which to focus your home search .
3 . Create a list . Or create a few lists . Must-haves versus wish lists are critical , especially if you ’ re buying a home with someone else . What do you consider a non-negotiable ? For you it may be a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms . For someone else it may be a big yard . Do you dream of owning a home with a pool ? Writing out the specifics not only helps you identify what is important to you or your family , it also helps your real estate agent determine what is on the market that fits those needs and wants .
4 . Photos may be deceiving . Home photos , if done right , are often taken at the very best angle , in the best light , and sometimes with retouching . Photos of problem areas will not be posted , so keep an open mind when you find something online that you like . Room sizes may appear quite larger in a photo than in person — that ’ s why it ’ s important to work with your real estate agent to visit any home that has potential . Your agent might also show you homes that may not have photographed well but are exactly what you ’ re looking for . Don ’ t be fooled by a real estate catfish !
5 . Be open-minded and on your toes . There will likely be several buyers vying for a similar home in the same market as you . If you think you ’ ve found the perfect home , alert your real estate agent as soon as possible to go see it in person . Being quick , but smart , could help you secure the home of your dreams in a lowinventory market . If you do get outbid by another buyer , be patient — something is sure to come along ! n
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