Thinking about buying a home? The process can be overwhelming and stressful, but these tips will help you to ENJOY buying your first home!

Thank you to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties for sponsoring this post.

I have to be honest, when we first started talking about buying a home…..I was terrified.  Were we really prepared? Once we started would it be overwhelming? What if we weren't comfortable?  If you've been watching our Instagram stories, then you know we pulled the trigger and started the home buying process SLOWLY.  We decided to start with a few meetings, and to see how we felt.  For us? The first steps towards buying a home have been WAY less stressful than I anticipated.  I wanted to share a bit about what has helped us, and what I would suggest for other families on this same journey!

Buying a Home: How to Not Lose Your Mind in the Process

Work with a Real Estate Agent: Working with a real estate agent you trust is KEY.  We connected with Andrew at our local Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties office, and his guidance has been the most important support we've had throughout this process.  He is experienced, comforting, and has our best interest at heart. We sat with him for an initial interview, and he set our minds at ease.  From talking us through the entire process to setting up open house visits that fit with our schedule and our budget, he has helped us stay focused and to feel like we understand what we are taking on.  I can't even imagine doing it without him!

In House Mortgage Support is Ideal: There are many options for mortgages, but we decided to work with in house mortgage support at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties I've loved that our team can easily communicate regarding budget and options that are comfortable for us.  It's made everything SO much easier!

Make a List of Priorities: Do you want a pool? To be near a certain school? Bedrooms? Square Footage? Make a list of things you'd LIKE to have in a home, and a list of non-negotiables.  These are things Andrew asked us right away. It's helped to know which homes we want to walk through.

Pin Visuals You Love:  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Create a pinterest board of homes and interiors you love.  Share it with your real estate agent so that they can really understand your aesthetic.  Want to see ours? Check it out HERE!

Pacing is Key: Buying a home isn't a race.  It takes time.  We've looked at quite a few houses, and are still looking for the perfect one for US.  Assume that the process won't be lightning quick, but be prepared in case it is.

So what’s next for us? We keep searching for our perfect home.  Now that all our ducks are in a row, when we find it…..we’re ready!

Are you buying a home? Or have you recently! Leave a comment with what helped you when navigating this process!