• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
(571) 228-4159
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on YouTube
My Account

Christopher Downey, Realtor

Alexandria Done Right!

  • Search
  • Sellers
    • Chris Downey’s 5 Top Tips for Sellers
    • Benefits of Staging your Home
    • Preparing your Estate or Probate Home for the Market
    • Marketing Plan
    • Why List with Me
    • What is my home worth?
  • Buyers
    • Home Loan Pre-Approval
    • Chris Downey’s My 5 Top Tips for Buyers
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • About
    • Chris Downey Resume
  • My Account

Chris Downey’s Top 5 Tips for Buyers

Many buyers hinder their progress and the homebuying process unknowingly by making uninformed decisions. Here are my top 5 tips for buyers to help you make informed decisions during the homebuying process:

1. Stabilize Finances:

Your lender needs to pull your credit. Any major changes, including lines of credit, acquiring more debt, transferring large sums of money, or any other major financial transaction during the home buying process can endanger your loan and ability to qualify for the home.  Many people overlook this top 5 tip for buyers.

2. Get Pre-Approved NOT Pre-Qualified:

There is a difference. Pre-qualified means a lender has taken a look at your debt to income ratio and a brief overview of your financial health, and believes you qualify for a loan. A pre-approval is an extensive process where you’ve submitted all the necessary documentation, completed the underwriting process, and are set to close on your loan. Being pre-approved means you won’t lose out on a home waiting to see if you can get the loan.  In addition to the Top 5 Tips for Buyers you will want to visit my home loan pre approval resource area to learn more.

3. Clearly Identify your Needs:

As a buyer, you know how many beds and baths you want. However, it’s also important to consider neighborhood features, proximity to commuter routes, amenities such as dog parks, shopping, dining, and schools. The more you’ve identified your needs, the easier it is for the agent to guide you to the right listings for you.

4. Be tactful during open houses:

Divulging personal information, level of interest, or your motivation for moving can be overheard by the seller’s agent or another agent belonging to the seller’s brokerage. This can lead to losing your advantage during the negotiation process, costing you money in the long run. My job is to help you get the best price and terms. Keeping your information confidential helps me achieve that.

5. Do your Due Diligence:

Not all vendors are created equal. Choosing your home inspector or other vendors based solely on price could cost you a lot more than the difference. You want to choose vendors who have the experience you need to protect your interests. When things go wrong, you want to know you’ve chosen the best and they will protect your investment. 

 

Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. It’s important to consider these top 5 tips for buyers when buying your home. As a buyer’s agent in Alexandria, Virginia, my goal is to help you be prepared during the home buying process. Buying a home can be easy and hassle-free when you allow expertise to guide you.   If you’d like to learn more about the home buying process, contact me for a FREE Home Buyer’s Guide.

Primary Sidebar

About

Chris Downey is realtor who developed his entrepreneurial spirit from his parents who owned a brokerage and developed residential communities. As a child, he remembers watching the car while his parents would be in a meeting getting paperwork signed … Read More... about About

Contact Chris

Seller Blog Posts!

True Market Value

What is your Home Actually Worth?

A time to prep your home for sale

Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale

How to get your Alexandria Estate or Probate home ready for sale

Preparing your Estate or Probate Home for the Market

View Homes

  • Alexandria Single Family Homes
  • Alexandria Townhouses
  • Alexandria Condos
  • Arlington Single Family Homes
  • Arlington Townhouses
  • Arlington Condos
  • Carlyle District
  • Del Ray
  • Old Town
  • Cameron Station
  • Kingstowne

Footer

Communities

  • Alexandria Single Family Homes
  • Alexandria Townhouses
  • Alexandria Condos
  • Arlington Single Family Homes
  • Arlington Townhouses
  • Arlington Condos
  • Carlyle District
  • Del Ray
  • Old Town
  • Cameron Station
  • Kingstowne

Real Estate News

  • Homes for Sale located in Alexandria 22301
  • Real Estate for Sale located in Alexandria about $450,000
  • Arlington VA Real Estate in 22203 for up to $250,000
  • Alexandria Homes for Sale for about $1,850,000
  • Alexandria Properties for Sale in the $850,000 Range

Contact

Christopher Downey
Licensed in VA
(571) 228-4159
Chris@chris-downey.com
1701 Duke St. Ste 100
Alexandria, VA 22314

Copyright © 2023 · Cielo on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

MENU
  • Search
  • Sellers
    • Chris Downey’s 5 Top Tips for Sellers
    • Benefits of Staging your Home
    • Preparing your Estate or Probate Home for the Market
    • Marketing Plan
    • Why List with Me
    • What is my home worth?
  • Buyers
    • Home Loan Pre-Approval
    • Chris Downey’s My 5 Top Tips for Buyers
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • About
    • Chris Downey Resume
  • My Account