"Rob and Matt were a big help to me when I relocated to Maine. With all of the stress involved in moving, it was nice to have someone willing to work closely with my wife and I in finding the perfect home for us and our 3 kids."

Shawn DeGraff Minot, Maine

Tips For Buyers

Have a Plan of Action

Take time to learn the market.

• A normal market with a fairly large number of homes available and an average number of buyers doesn't favor either the buyer or the seller. You should be able to negotiate fairly with the seller but don't expect to buy the home for much less than the seller is asking.

• A hot market is very advantageous to the seller. There are fewer homes available and a large number of potential buyers. In this environment preparation is the key. Be pre-approved, know your price range and be realistic about what you need. Don't get caught up in a bidding war. Stay focused on what you are really looking for and what you can truly afford.

• A cold market gives the buyer a lot more time to make an offer that is in their best interest. Usually there are a large number of homes available and fewer buyers. This environment makes it possible for you to offer a lower price but caution should be taken not to bid so low you lose the home of your dreams.

Find a good Mortgage Broker you can trust

• Make sure you are using a legitimate lender. Avoid lenders who seem disorganized or are not well informed about interest rates.

• Before you meet with a lender prepare a list of question. Are interest rates rising or falling? What type of down payment will they be expecting?

GET PRE-APPROVED

• Pre-approval will let you know how much you can afford to pay and what price ranges you should be looking at. It also eliminates the frustration of viewing homes only to find you don't qualify.

• Sellers will take you much more seriously when they know you are already pre-approved for the loan.

• Pre-approval will let you know up front what your mortgage payments will be, what kind of down payment you will need and what the interest rate will be. Good planning enables you to choose a home that will not only be right for you but will be affordable. Know WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU

  Consider your personal needs and desires

  • What type of neighborhood do you want to live in? Do you like city life or country living?

  • If you have children, what kind of school system is important to you?

  • Do you want a full basement? A garage? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Is a big kitchen important to you. Do you need a large yard?

  • Know ahead of time what you really want in a home and what you consider added luxuries.

  Things to look for when viewing a property

  Location-Location-Location

  • Is the property located in a convenient place for you and your family

  • What is its proximity to schools?

  • What is the crime rate in the neighborhood?

  Things to do when MAKING AN OFFER

  Insist on a home inspection

  • A home inspection protects both you and the seller.

  • A home inspection should cover the condition of the home's plumbing, roofing, electrical systems and structure.