I would make sure you feel comfortable with the agent. It is important that you have a good relationship with your agent and that your agent listens to you and has time for you. I have worked with first-time buyers, investors and sellers. I also assist "For Sale By Owners". By have such a diverse background I believe it benefits my buyers and sellers. Contact an agent now so you can get pre-qualified with a loan and start looking for that special home.

Hi Mie!

I think the number one thing you should do is get clear on your buying power. What I mean by this is it is really important to work with a Mortgage Professional that can help you get clear on how much of a payment you can afford. This does not necessarily mean how much you can qualify for.

The most important thing to consider before you start looking at homes is what homes price range you can sustain. A good mortgage professional can help you create a budget to assist you to determine this number.

It is my opinion that this be done first before you get an agent involved. There is no point in disappointing yourself looking at homes you can't afford.

Once you know what your target house payment is, then it is important that you get pre-approved for your new loan. This way your Mortgage Professional can review all of your financial documents to make sure that your loan approval is solid. There is nothing worse than finding the house of your dreams and then 15 days into escrow you find out your can't qualify.

Once you have your pre-approval then is when your hunt for the perfect Realtor should begin. If you would like a recommendation for someone in your areas just let us know!

Good Luck!

Erin

Team Newington
First Priority Financial
(916) 687-6868

Pacita,
I did not mean any offense on agents doing open houses. I do them myself. And if you read my note again, my point is that meeting someone at an open house can help you determine personality fit, but you need to go beyond that to experience level, as you so eloquently stated., to understand their level of expertise. One indication is the certifications that they have earned.

I also agree with you that number of years a person is licensed does not properly reflect an agent's experience level, when considered on its own. When I want to find a good doctor, I ask a nurse. Referrals are an excellent means to find a qualified realtor as well.

Sue Archer
Realtor, GRI, ABR, SRES
The Galster Group
(916) 847-9686

I am glad that several suggestions are being offered here.

However, I will say this much: depending on the market, there are many ACTIVE agents who do open houses. I actually resent the implication that active agents aren't holding open houses, because where I am, in the City of Alameda, we have a very brisk market, and our open houses are very busy. I hold Sunday open houses, and keep Saturdays free, as well as after hours to show property.

Regarding qualifications, this is not much different from checking the internet for qualified agents, as speaking directly with the agents one meets. It's like dating --- one may look good on paper, until one actually meets the person.

Take a look at their business cards ---- if they have special designations, like e-PRO, CRS, GRI, ABR, SRES, MBA (yes, that, too!), that should speak to some of their qualifications. The number of years of experience is not reflective of one's ability and effectiveness. Sometimes, the newer agents are even better equipped.

Although there isn't a specific designation for First Time Buyers, many of us do like working with First Time Buyers. Many of my clients are first time buyers, and I have guided them through the process. Many have attended my Firsrt Time Buyer seminars. I have also helped them locate Buyer Assistance Programs.

So please DONT' discount open houses as a way to meet qualified realtors. There are many of us out there doing this!

Great question, and well worth the discussion being held here!

Finding the right buyer's agent is like finding the right accountant, attorney or doctor. They are are a consultant and guide you in your buying process. Knowledge and experience is important, but also personality fit...someone you feel comfortable with. I am not aware of any certification as a 'first time homebuyer' agent, but there are certifications as an accredited buyer's Representative, and there are agents that also are experienced on the loan side of the equation. While they may not do your loan, they can better guide you in working with a lender that specializes in all of the first time homebuyer programs out there, such as Nehemiah, CAlFHA, FHA,, etc. You might want to consider their experience and knowledge in those areas during your selection.

A couple of suggestions-
You've selected Elk Grove. Use the internet to become familiar with the area, as well as drive the neighborhoods to better understand some of your buyer needs. Agent websites have search criterias that you can use to set up your own client portal, as well as articles on buying a home. Number of bedrooms/baths might be easy to determine, but neighborhood 'feel', such as traffic, or proximity to a school, size of yards, etc. might be things you would consider.

I don't put as much weight on meeting an agent at an open house. The active buyer's agents are not doing open houses but are out working directly with their clients. While you can determine a personality fit by meeting one at an open house, it does not speak to their qualifications either way on the other matters I listed- as an accredited buyer's representative, or their familiarity with first time home buyer loan processes.

The buyer agent might help you find a qualified lender, or you might know one through a family member or friend. Once a lender is selected, obtain a pre-qualification letter. This will serve two purposes: to let you determine your 'buying power' and establish what your budget is for your monthly expense, but also allow you to be presented as a serious buyer when you put an offer on a house.

An accredited buyer representative should discuss with you at this point the difference between renting and owning a home when factoring in the tax advantages of home ownership. Do not assume that paying $1500/mo in rent is where your budget should be for paying your mortgage (including taxes and insurance). There's more to that analysis....

Hope this helps! I would be interested in hearing more comments from you on the suggestions everyone has provided here!

Sue Archer
Realtor, GRI, ABR, SRES
The Galster Group
(916) 847-9686

Mie:

I agree with the others that one of the most important things to consider in finding the right REALTOR to work with is to make sure they are professional, have high morals and ethics, and you feel you can communicate with them effectively.

However, I feel strongly that you should also work with a REALTOR who specializes in First Time Homebuyers. Here are my reasons why.
1. Buying your first home can be a great experience, or it can be a very stressful experience. You will be dealing with issues, paperwork, people and processes you are not familiar with. They will often sound like they are speaking a foreign language, since they will use terminology and reference organizations with which you may not be familiar. A REALTOR who specializes in 1st Time Homebuyers will be able to translate 'Realestateeze' into plain English, walk you through all the forms and contracts you need to sign and explain these thoroughly, connect you with other necessary or optional professionals to help you make legal, accounting, inspection, and financing decisions.
2. A 1st Time Homebuyer specialist will know about city, county, state and federal programs that will benefit you as a first time homebuyer. Using these programs effectively may help you buy the home of your dreams rather than settling for just what you think you can afford.
3. A 1st Time Homebuyer specialist will have contacts in the mortgage industry and/or with people who staff the local area 1st Time Homebuyer programs, so they can guide you to professionals who know how to fit the pieces of the puzzle together to help you get the most benefit from the programs available.
4. A 1st Time Homebuyer specialist understands that this is the biggest purchase of your life (at least for most 1st Time Homebuyers) and they will support you as much or as little as you need

Best of luck with finding your new home.

The first thing we normally recommend a buyer to do is to get preapproved for a loan so that you know what your budget range is. If you have a good down payment, good credit score and history, stable employment, you are ahead of the game.

See if there are any First Time Buyer Seminars offered where you are. Many times, these seminars are joint efforts by realtors, lenders and title companies. It's a good way to get educated about the process, and also to meet people whom you may be able to use at different stages of the transaction.

You can also start scouting for agents --- a good way to do this is to go to open houses in the area(s) where you want to live. And get a "feel" for how the agents conduct themselves. how knowledgeable they are. I've met many of my clients during my open houses, and who elected to use my service after our interaction where I gave them lots of information (such as home buyers guide, local area maps and magazines, etc). You just might find your realtor this way, too.

But do talk with different realtors and trust your gut as to who would be an advocate for you and your interest.

Good luck.

Good Evening Mie,
If you're a first time home buyer I'm guessing that you will be using an FHA loan to help get you into the home. We normally write FHA loans for a 45 day escrow. So taking that into consideration, if you went into contract tomorrow, you'd be closing around the 7th of July. Working backwards from those numbers (to close by the end of August) you would have to be in contract in the next 4-6 weeks. That said: Now is the time to start looking for a home. 4 to 6 weeks is not a long time to look for homes in the grande scheme of things.
I would start by interviewing agents. Make sure that you are compatable and you have the same work philosophies. And don't forget that real estate agents are in the SERVICE INDUSTRY. We need to be able to meet YOUR needs.
For your second question: An experienced full time agent has probably worked with experienced buyers and first time buyers. As I previously said, find an agent with experience that can share your ethics and meet your needs as a buyer. That is the most important part.
Good luck Mie!
This is an exciting time for you.
Please feel free to contact me about home in Elk Grove or with any other questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Alex Amaro

Hello Mie,

1) You should start looking for a buyers agent after you get qualified. Once you know how much you can afford you can start from there.

2) You could go either way. My suggestion would be to interview a few agents. Some that specialize in first time home buyers and those that just specialize in the area. Ask your friends for referrals and you can even use this site. At the top under member search, you can look up real estate pros in your area and look them over. Make sure you do your research.

Good Luck to you!