Even though the housing market in San Antonio is cooling down (just a little bit), we are still in a very competitive seller’s market. Does this mean that you should wait to buy a home until after the market shifts? Absolutely not! Being that it’s almost always a seller’s market in San Antonio…you would be waiting for a VERY long time! It is super important that you are very prepared to buy a home to make sure that you get exactly what you are looking for, and in just the right timeframe that you need.
So, let’s get to the good stuff – how exactly to prepare to buy a home in this competitive San Antonio market!
- Schedule a home buyer consult with ME! This is where you’ll learn everything you need to know about the buying process from start to finish. We will chat about your timeline, needs vs. wants in a home, location and SO much more! We can meet for coffee, or via Zoom or FaceTime so that we can get to know each other. This is where you get your questions answered and a plan mapped out (even if you’re not ready to press play on your home search for several months).
- Have a conversation with a local lender. We will talk more about this during our first meeting (and yes, I have some amazing San Antonio lenders to recommend)! Don’t be scared, you don’t have to get pre-approved yet if you’re not ready! Most pre-approvals only last 90 days so if you’re not wanting to move for 9-12 months, you might just do some preliminary research! However, meeting with a lender will help get you prepared for how much you’ll need to have saved, how you could potentially improve your credit score to lock in a better interest rate and all the financing details you’ll need to know to buy with confidence!
- Figure out your deal-breakers and must-haves. Aside from the basics (like location and number of bedrooms) think about the purpose of the home and the requirements for your lifestyle: like storage, backyard size, the layout and how long you think you’ll live there (THINK: resale).
Always remember the reason why you are buying a new home. Whether it’s for more space, a better layout for your needs, a fenced in yard for the dog or more bathrooms – keep that top of mind when looking at homes!
Make a list of the features that are non-negotiable and split them into must-haves and deal breakers. It might not be possible to meet every single one, so circle your top 3 from there.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that buyers think they know exactly what they want until we actually start looking. Doing some pre-house hunting homework will help you decide if you absolutely love the area (as in YES I want to live here, there’s a coffee shop in walking distance!) or “Actually, it’s probably a little too busy for our family”.
Whatever you do, just remember that you’re NOT alone! You absolutely want to have a trusted REALTOR® by your side to help guide you and be your advocate through the home-buying process. So, if you’re looking for a San Antonio Real Estate Agent to get started…you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are ready to buy now, or still need some time-you will find all the resources that you need here.
