First-Time Home Buyers
If you are a first-time home buyer, use the guide below for helpful hints and tips and learn how to avoid common mistakes when buying your first home in Ellis County.
- Pre-Qualification: Meet with a mortgage broker and find out how much you can afford to pay for a home.
- Pre-Approval: While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You'll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With Pre-Approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, assuming the home you're interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-qualified for, the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan.
- List of Needs & Wants: Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes - things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically for first-time buyers, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for.
- Representation by a Professional: Consider hiring your own real estate agent, one who is working for you, the buyer, not the seller.
- Focus & Organization: In a convenient location, keep handy the items that will assist you in maximizing your home search efforts. Such items may include:
- One or more detailed maps with your areas of interest highlighted.
- A list or file of the properties that your agent has shown to you.
- Paper and pen for taking notes as you search.
- A camera to snap pictures of homes you have toured to help you remember your favorites and features you really liked.
- Visualize the house empty & with your decor: Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light?
- Be Objective: Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so don't make a hurried decision that you may regret later.
- Be Thorough: A few extra dollars well spent now may save you big expenses in the long run. Don't forget such essentials as:
- Include inspection & mortgage contingencies in your written offer.
- Have the property inspected by a professional inspector.
- Request a second walk-through to take place within 24 hours of closing.
- You want to check to see that no changes have been made that were not agreed on (i.e., a nice chandelier that you assumed came with the sale having been replaced by a cheap ceiling light).
All the above may seem rather overwhelming. That is why having a professional represent you and keep track of all the details for you is highly recommended. Please contact us directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail.
Since day one they were great!! They helped me on the sale of my house and buy my new house! Very informative, polite, works fast and efficient, would recommend to anyone in need of real estate help.
Carlos Nungray
We recently bought our new house and we had wonderful experience and they were able to go above and beyond what we had expected we could have for our first home!
Taylor Graham
John and Leslie Majors are wonderful to work with! They were always available to answer questions, and made our home buying experience one we will remember for a lifetime!
Karen Steward
This is was our second transaction with legacy. Both of which were absolutely painless. We had some tough parameters to work around on our end of the deal and the Majors/Legacy realty were gracious to accommodate them!
10/10! Will be using them for our next transaction too!
Anonymous
10/10! Will be using them for our next transaction too!
Legacy Realty Group is a great team to work with for your realty needs. Mary Davidson was especially helpful, prompt, professional and detail oriented during the purchase of an investment property we acquired. I highly recommend her and her team.
Janet Loper
I thought buying our first home would be near impossible with our budget and in this market. I only wanted the best part of Waxahachie with the best price tag... I was basically asking for the world. Leslie never acted like it was impossible, instead said, "We will find you something!"
I was impressed by many thing but mostly impressed at her availability to look at houses and knowledge of the waxahachie area. We often saw homes right after texting her about them. She always makes time for her clients. We never felt rushed looking at houses and she never pushed her opinions on us, but did point out important things that we may have missed otherwise.
Leslie helped us as first time buyers know what to offer on a house that had been on the market for just a few days with multiple offers. It was exactly what we wanted: in one of the most desirable historic areas of Waxahachie and under our max buying power. Perfect.
Even 2 years after buying our house she helped us research values around our area to help us with property taxes. She keeps helping us even after the sale was finished.
Chelsea Davis
I was impressed by many thing but mostly impressed at her availability to look at houses and knowledge of the waxahachie area. We often saw homes right after texting her about them. She always makes time for her clients. We never felt rushed looking at houses and she never pushed her opinions on us, but did point out important things that we may have missed otherwise.
Leslie helped us as first time buyers know what to offer on a house that had been on the market for just a few days with multiple offers. It was exactly what we wanted: in one of the most desirable historic areas of Waxahachie and under our max buying power. Perfect.
Even 2 years after buying our house she helped us research values around our area to help us with property taxes. She keeps helping us even after the sale was finished.
Leslie & John were great. Listened to what we needed and suggested great alternatives along the way. Always answering my questions and inquiries any time of the day and provided guidance throughout the process. I highly recommend them as your realtor in your search for a home.
Marco Philip
We've bought and sold a home using Legacy and we couldn't be happier! They are professional, while at the same time, they treat you like family.
Chase Brown