YES you need pre-approved prior working with realtor all sales offers are submitted with that letter

Contact a realtor who can take all your specifications forward you properties.

RULE OF THUMB: never purchase a home direct from
Bank, Builder, For Sale by Owner, Listing Agent

You need your own agent who represents you not property owner

EXAMPLE: would you go to a trial have defendent's attorney represent you and defendant probably not

CONTACT OUR OFFICE TODAY
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Lynn A. Crosby ~ National Featured Realtor
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Hi Mark,

I found a home on the MLS that is a one story 3 bdrms-2 bths w/ close to 2,600 SF for under $200K! I just spoke to the Sales Manager & the community is running some great incentives! Please feel free to call or email me at your convenience so that I can get you more info!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Make it a Blessed Day!

Tamika A. Turner
Buyer's Agent - Hendrickson Realty Group
Cell: (972) 697-1178
Email: Info@NewHomesInDFW.net

Hi Mark,

I just got an email from a Homebuilder with a one story beautiful home in Keller Schools that is 2400 square feet for around 200k. I just sold another one there so I think that you will be interested. Please email or call me and I will help you with it.

DeDe
dede@soldbydede.com
817-881-1280

Mark,

Please get a Realtor! Many Buyer who look at new homes choose not to use a Realtor, this is a mistake. Realtors know the neighborhoods, they know the Builders, and can often get a better price or upgrades that the person off the street cannot. The Realtor usually means multiple sales for that builder so they are glad to give us a little more when we are negotiating. Also, the Builder pays our commission, so why wouldn't you get represented!

Second, when looking for resale homes, the same applies. There are pros and cons to letting the listing agent also represent you but if you "click" with someone and you trust that Realtor, you may not even buy that listing, just let that Realtor represent you. The Seller's agent does have a contract with the Seller, but if you choose that agent and also sign an agreement, the agent can give you advise but just not on what to offer. That agent can still show you comps and can make sure that what is agreed upon is done.

It is best to always get preapproved before searching for a home. That way, you know what you can afford, you know what terms are needed when placing an offer, and you know the comparison information when looking at new homes. Many new home builder will give you extra incentives if you use their lender and sometimes that is a better deal. But the only way to know is to have a lender to compare with their lender. The agent you choose will help you pick the best lender for your needs. That is the Realtor's job to make sure that you are "taken care of" in all aspects of the transaction. Finding the home is actually the easy part.

I love the Saratoga community. It truly is one of a kind with its rolling hills, the neighborhood, and the location. I have a two story listed there and think that Jennifer at Plantation Homes is awesome as well as Levi at Standard Pacific. There are a few other communities that I would highly recommend. If you would like to discuss them further, please email me.

Good luck with your home search! I encourage you to let a professional help you save time and MONEY!

Mark,

Looks like you got a lot of good advice here.

Regarding whether you should get pre-approved or not; certainly, this will improve your bargaining power as well as provide you and the seller with a sense of surety that you will be able to attain financing in this market.

Secondly, when choosing an agent, interview local candidates to see if you are comfortable with them and their ability to help you find and negotiate the best terms for a home with you. How well do they listen to you and what you are seeking. A local agent is usually more knowledgeable about the area in which you are looking because they spend so much time in that area assisting clients. Living and working in the Keller area myself provides me ample opportunity to see what is happening in our community.

An agent who is representing the seller may be a great REALTOR but in your case it sounds like you are not a seasoned buyer and really need an agent to represent you. In order to do that I recommend you do not use the seller's agent. When the seller's agent represents both sides in Texas they can only facilitate the process. They cannot give advice or negotiate for either side.

If I can be of any help to you please give me a call at 817-800-4780 or email me at JimCartermail@charter.net. Best of luck in your search.

Jim

Mark,

I am 2 minutes away and can give you advice on how to find the right home.
Please read my profile: http://www.ziprealty.com/agent/lpuniwai
And you will learn what to expect from a Realtor.

In short, someone who knows the area, has measureable results in representing Buyers in the
given area and has strong negotiating skills.
In addition, I have a power point presentation I would like to send you. I put it together to help first time
home buyers.

I have a reputation of helping my clients every step of the way from finding a home, writing a winning offer, financing, inspection all the way through closing. My clients also remain in touch with me after closing so I can help with anything else that arises.

My heart is in the right place as I have children that bought their first home(s) and I just want to offer my services in the spirit of helping people as this is my true passion. At the end of the day, I make a living by helping others!

Lucy A. Puniwai
ZIP Realty

puniwai@gmail.com

All of the agents the have responded so far have had excellent advise.

One other thing to consider is a neighborhood expert in the area your looking. Not only will an agent that specializes in the area be able to help you out. They will also able to save you time while searching. They will know the current inventory like the back of their hand and a lot of the time live in the area you're looking. This will help you because they will already have information about taxes, schools and neighborhoods from their prior experiences.

There are several great properties in the NE Tarrant county area that believe it or not have larger than average lot sizes. I was with a buyer in Saratoga last weekend was able to show them several properties that had nice size yards and were in the low $200's. There are several other neighborhoods that are near Saratoga that you will be able to find homes that meet your search requirements.

Best wishes and good luck with your home buying experience!! If I can be of further assistance please feel free to contact me.

Heather Shimala
Realtor
Prudential Texas Properties
817-600-1083 Office
817-379-0305 Fax http://www.YourKellerAgent.com
heathershimal@gmail.com

Buying a house always starts with desire. A common mistake buyers make is assuming they have good credit or they have bad credit. After they put a contract together, then they find out the truth. It sounds like you're smarter than that.

Yes, it is a good idea to approach a lender and find out at least what you qualify for. If you have not considered your finances beforehand, it could be a bit of a shock. First, you'll need to have a decent income and expect not to spend more than about 1/3 of your gross each month on your house payment. Your house payment normally includes an amount for the real estate taxes and insurance.
Second, you'll need to have a stack of cash in the bank for you to meet your down payment and pay closing costs. It is a little like buying a car: car + tax + title + license. Your house will have prepaid expenses and closing costs on top of the price. And you can't finance 100% anymore (unless you're a veteran).

So, when you have considered your income and set a budget amount for housing, contact a loan and ask the next big question: how's my credit? You'll need to show that you have handled credit responsibly over the last couple of years or more, with a 620 minimum credit score. Higher is better. The loan officer can go over how it works and what the timeline is. Once you have a pre-qual or pre-approval letter in hand, you'll be able to go out with your favorite Realtor, see some homes, and make an offer. [Some Realtors won't go with you to see houses until you're qualified.]

If negotiations go well, the contract will be within your budget and you'll close on your new home a few weeks later.

Wow! I didn't expect to have any answers till tomorrow. Thank you all for your advice and prompt replies.

To answer a few questions that have been asked.

I am open to a preowned home . Nothing too old may be 2-5 years old.

We want into the Keller or Saratoga area for the school districts Keller or NW ISD

"If the agent who has a listing wants to be your agent, they are not going to represent you and look after your best interest and they cannot give you advice. They already have a written agreement with the seller to represent them. So yes there is a big conflict of interest. They can help you find other homes that are not listed by them. "
TY Naima I sholud have known that I had a feeling it would be a great conflict of interest.TY for clarifying that.

Meritage has very gorgeous homes. In Keller they do have smaller lots and it does feel like you're very clsoe to your neighbors. Are there other areas besides Keller that you are willing to consider. You are fair to choose any Realtor but all Realtors aren't the same.

With you being a first time homebuyer, you need someone who is going to be with you every step of the way from contract to closing. I only deal with new homes and I've been doing this for 5 yrs and I have dealt with every major and small builder in the DFW area, including Meritage.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Make it a Blessed Day!!

Tamika Turner
"Your New Home Specialist"
Cell: (972) 697-1178
Fax: (682) 222-1049
Email: Info@NewHomesInDFW.net
http://www.NewHomesInDFW.net
"Specializing in the Sales of Brand New Homes in DFW!"

HI Mark,

Please don't feel like you have to hold back about questions. Ask anything please.
We don't get mad, we just get even ... J/K

If the agent who has a listing wants to be your agent, they are not going to represent you and look after your best interest and they cannot give you advice. They already have a written agreement with the seller to represent them. So yes there is a big conflict of interest. They can help you find other homes that are not listed by them.

Since your are buying for the first time, you want a buyer's agent "like me" to represent you and work on your behalf.

The homes in Wilshire has very small lots indeed. Are you looking in Keller only? Feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to send you a list of suggestions with homes on larger lots

Naima
214-289-8555
Naima@Sumner-Realty.com

Hi Mark,

1. Always use a Realtor. Normally no cost to you and so many benefits.
2. The realtor on the sign represents the seller....get your own realtor....have them show you the houses.
There is no need to call the realtor on the sign.
3. The best thing to do even before you ever look is to get preapproved.
This gives you a lot of leverage.
A. You look at homes in the right price range.
B. When you find the perfect home, you are ready to make an offer.
C. You may be able to lock in an interest rate now at a lower cost.
D. You may be able to get a better interest rate by adjusting some of your credit.
If you get prequalified now you may have time to fix it. If you wait until you find the right house
it may be too late to fix it and therefore you could pay a lot more money over the long run for the house.

Haslet might be a good option for you.
Do you only want a new home or would you consider preowned?

Good Evening,

I just read your post on Trulia. I specialize in the sales of brand new homes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. I would be happy to assist you in finding and purchasing your new home and answering any questions that you may have.

I can get started on this right now, as well as, email you available inventory in those areas.

I always strive to meet and exceed your expectations, as well as, negotiate the best deal possible!

Please call or email me at your convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Make it a Blessed Day!!

Tamika Turner
"Your New Home Specialist"
Cell: (972) 697-1178
Fax: (682) 222-1049
Email: Info@NewHomesInDFW.net
http://www.NewHomesInDFW.net
"Specializing in the Sales of Brand New Homes in DFW!"