Koffee with Kelly – Real Estate Tips for Buyers. Don’t be an “Open House Tourist”…without a plan. 🕵️‍♀️📸 What kind of plan do you need? 🤷‍♀️ Join me for koffee as I share what you need to have in place to make your Open House tours successful.

I recently hosted a very busy open house! There was a lot of excitement and interest, and the home got many offers. I was approached by several potential buyers who asked me when submissions were due (that night, by 7:00 pm). In every case, they didn’t have an agent and didn’t have a loan pre-approval letter to make an offer. It would have been impossible for any of them to bid on this home. For buyers, even when “starting to look for a home,” you want to be in a place to make an offer when they find that right place. Here are some tips for buying the dream home you saw at an open house:

1. Before you start house hunting, get pre-approved by a lender. That will tell you exactly how much you can afford to spend on a home. This will also give you stronger bargaining power when making an offer.
   Using a local lender instead of going online is best. Real estate agents often like to verify with the mortgage broker that a buyer can afford to follow through with the buy. This check is easier done with a local person.
2. Check the recent sales of similar homes in the area to get an idea of what you should be paying. This will help you determine if the asking price is fair or if you can negotiate a lower price.
3. Hire a real estate agent that can help guide you through the process, answer your questions, and represent your interests. Kelly Ettrich is an excellent choice in Northern Virginia.
4. Make a competitive offer: If you want to make sure your offer is accepted, make sure it’s competitive. You may need to offer more than the asking price or make certain concessions.
5. Get a home inspection: Before finalizing the deal, have a licensed home inspector check the home to ensure no hidden problems. Finally, close the deal! Once you’ve agreed on a price, sign the necessary paperwork, and make the down payment. Congratulations, you’re a homeowner!
   Remember, buying a home is a big investment, and you don’t need to be a tourist visiting an open house. Make sure you have an agent and are preapproved for a mortgage so you can move quickly when you find your dream home.