Step one is finding out your budget for your new home. The best way to do that is to meet with a mortgage professional who will review your income, assets, and credit history in order to pre-approve you for a loan. Not only does getting pre-approved allow you to narrow your home search, but it also makes your offer stronger when it comes time buy. If you don’t currently have a lender, I would be happy to recommend one.

Imagine your ideal home then make a list of everything you envisioned, such as the number of beds/baths, the style of home, and location. Then break that list down into high-priority items you can’t live without and lower-priority things that would be an added bonus.

Once you know how much you can afford and what you’re looking for in a home, it’s time to start your search. And the best place to start is online. Consider setting up a MyWindermere account so you’re notified every time something new comes on the market that fits your search parameters. As your real estate agent, I can also send you potential homes and take you to tour them in person once you’re ready to get serious.

I take my responsibility of helping my clients through the buying journey very seriously. I realize this is probably one of the largest financial purchases you’ll ever make, and you can count on me to be your guide, your counselor, and your fiercest advocate every step of the way.