Select a person who has experience with the entire process of buying and selling a home as well as buildable lots. You want someone not just to search for property, but also to guide you through the nuances of the disclosures as well as the intricacies of the contract. Your realtor should know which inspections are appropriate for the type of property you are buying. Not all neighborhoods have the same requirements.

An experienced realtor works for you to protect your interests and to help you through all the steps of the process -- from helping you assemble a list of properties you can visit to making sure everything goes smoothly at closing.

Some of the most knowledgeable agents know of houses that are not officially on the market but might be available for sale soon.

Remember, the seller pays the commission which covers the buyer’s agent as well as the seller’s agent.

Get your financing pre-approved.

Because the current housing market is so competitive, it’s a good idea to have your financing lined up so you’re ready to make an offer when you find the property you want. Work with your lender so you can present a pre-approved letter along with your offer. If you don’t have a lender, we can suggest a few for you to choose from.

Start previewing homes.

Tell your realtor what type of property you’re interested in and the neighborhoods you like. Lazar Homes has online sources to help you start to preview homes. We’ll create an online account you can use to look at photos, videos, virtual tours, and other details about the property. You can make a list of houses to visit either by attending an open house, or by making an appointment to visit with your realtor. Agents who know about “Coming Soon” properties can arrange private showings at those locations also.

Get into the neighborhoods.

After you’ve checked out all the online sources available to learn about neighborhoods, parks, and schools it’s time to drive around and walk around. See a house you like online? Drive to the address. Park you car nearby and walk the street and those nearby. Check out nearby shopping. How busy is the traffic on the streets. What is your commute time to work and school. Does the neighborhood meet your needs? If so, great. If not, it’s time to reevaluate the neighborhood you want to live in. A realtor with deep knowledge of the community can save you time and be your trusted guide about sharing the good and the not-so-good about that community.

Look beyond the cosmetic appearance.

How many times have you seen people on reality TV home buying shows, reject a house because they didn’t like the paint color of the family room, or the color of the front door. You might have even said to the TV, “Really? Buy paint and change the color.” But, it can be a different context when you are buying your house. Most items that aren’t structural can be corrected with a little time and money. Lazar Homes has a range of contacts who are qualified to help you correct or repair those things.