If you’ve ever made a major move before, you know there’s nothing simple about the moving process. It’s often easier said than done, and there are lots of logistics to plan. Whether you already live in the area or are planning to relocate to another state, there are some important details you’ll want to consider. For instance, homebuyers and sellers should do a few important tasks prior to hiring a dedicated real estate agent from Nurture Realty. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Get Pre-Approval
This one makes the top of the list because, unfortunately, it is something that is commonly overlooked by so many homebuyers. In fact, CNN ranked this as one of the top seven most common first-time homebuyer mistakes. Before contacting a realtor, before looking at houses and falling in love with your dream home, always talk to a lender. That way, you can make sure you’re able to get pre-approved and you’ll know exactly how much house you can afford. Doing this early in the process will save you some headaches down the road, I promise!
Choose the Right Lender
This is another tip that can save you some headaches if you proactively do this early on in the homebuying process. As Forbes reveals in this article, “Mortgage people are salespeople.” In other words, they are representatives of the lender who serve the primary role of convincing you to go with that particular lender. Just because you’re pre-approved with one lender doesn’t mean they’re giving you the best rate. It also doesn’t mean you’re obligated to stick with that lender. Homes are a big purchase that you’ll be paying off for decades to come. Therefore, shop around and see which lender provides the best deal for you.
If you’re a veteran of the armed forces, you may be eligible for a VA loan. VA loans offer lower monthly interest payments and the opportunity to purchase a home without a stellar credit score. Applicants may also be able to purchase a home with zero down.
Visit Open Houses
Visiting open houses serves several purposes. First, it gives you a clearer idea of what you want in a home. Second, it allows you to understand what’s available in your desired area and to get a realistic idea of what’s possible. Contrary to popular belief, you actually can visit open houses prior to hiring a real estate agent - and that could be a smart way to streamline the homebuying process.
Prepare to Buy or Sell
Depending upon whether you’re buying or selling, there are a couple other things you should do. Buyers should validate their credit score and sellers should prepare their home for selling.

If you are selling your home, it’s important to understand what it’s worth so you can price accordingly. Before listing your home, consider having it inspected and appraised so you can either fix anything that’s wrong or price your home accordingly.

Clearing Up a Misconception

Many people mistakenly believe that you’ll get a better deal when purchasing or selling a home if you don’t use a real estate agent. There is no truth to this common misconception. If a home is listed with a real estate agent, the total sales commission is already in the price, but without an agent, the seller's agent will receive the entire commission.

Working with a real estate agent doesn’t hurt you. Besides, it can save you a lot of stress and worry in the long run. Just do your homework and complete the tasks listed in this article. Afterwards, you’ll be ready to focus on finding your dream home. When you’re ready to work with an experienced real estate professional, reach out to Nurture Realty by calling 503-389-0016.

Article provided by Natalie Jones from HomeownerBliss.info.