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  • July 1, 2022
You are here: Home / Peggy's Pointers / How to to Prepare for Your Home Search

How to to Prepare for Your Home Search

December 16, 2021 By Office Staff

1

Whether you were outbid on every home you liked or you never found the right fit because of limited inventory, you probably encountered a few challenges if you tried to buy a home this year.

With a new year around the corner, are you thinking about continuing your search? No matter what the market looks like in 2022, we can work together to find the right home for you.

To start, take these four steps to prepare for a successful experience, and reach out when you’re ready.

1. Stick to a budget. Tighten those purse strings and start funneling away as much money as possible for your closing costs, down payment and other expenses. Typically, the higher your down payment is, the easier it is to get a mortgage loan.

2. Work on your credit. Increasing your credit score can help you get a lower mortgage rate, which means a more affordable home purchase on the whole. Try to pay down some debts and set your bills to autopay. Both steps may help you improve your score.

3. Consider where you might compromise. Sometimes compromising on a few nice-to-haves can help you find a home within your price range. Could you settle for three bedrooms instead of four? A rural home instead of a suburban one? One story instead of two? You may also think about buying a condo or townhouse.

4. Do some deep-dive research. Make sure you know about all your possible mortgage loan options, as some can lower your upfront costs (or even cover them entirely). Talk to a few lenders, ask questions and consider getting preapproved for your loan before starting your search in the new year.

Make sure to keep in touch as you get ready to begin house-hunting. And if you need guidance on lenders, mortgage options or local market trends, reach out anytime.

Filed Under: Peggy's Pointers

User Goodies

Property Search Alerts

Click on the image above and complete the questionnaire, then Holdren & Associates will provide you with an email alert based on your personalized search criteria.

Click on the image above and complete the questionnaire, then Holdren & Associates will provide you with an email alert based on your personalized search criteria. We will set up a search with your personalized search information which will be emailed to you daily as changes are added to the Champaign County MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for instant, up to date information. This search function gives you access to new listings, price changes, sale pendings, expired, and withdrawn listings at the same instant that those property updates become available to area REALTORS®. Your favorite properties can be saved to your inbox so you can monitor pertinent changes for example a price reduction. All this information at your fingertips.

Find Your Home

Quick Search of the Champaign County Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Click the image above to begin performing a "QUICK SEARCH" of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This search function gives you access to all properties via MLS number, street address, property type, price, town, and even style of home. All this information is accessible to you at the same instant the properties become available to area REALTORS®.

Free Market Analysis

Curious to know what your home would sell for in today's market? What you see online may be wrong.

Curious to know what your home would sell for in today's market? What you see online may be wrong. Click on the above image to get started, Holdren & Associates would be happy to provide you with a professional and detailed analysis. Allow us to help you start the listing process today.

Mortgage Calculators

How much can I borrow?
How much will my payments be?
What house can I afford?
Which is better: 15 or 30 year term? Click on the image above for a very thorough group of calculators to help you decide.

Have you ever asked yourself these questions? How much can I borrow? How much will my payments be? What house can I afford? Which is better: a 15 or 30 year term? Click on the image above for a very thorough group of calculators to help you decide.

Help Me Relocate

Whether you are moving to or from the Champaign County and surrounding areas, we will work closely with all lenders, attorney's and inspectors to facilitate the timing of your home sale or purchase so that your transaction will be effortless.

Click on the image above and complete the questionnaire. Whether you are moving to or from the Champaign County and surrounding areas, we will work closely with all lenders, attorney's and inspectors to facilitate the timing of your home sale or purchase so that your transaction will be effortless. Even if you are moving out of the area, we can assist by hand selecting your new destination realtor to ensure quality service. Let us help take the angst out of relocation!

Ask Us...

You got Questions? We got Answers...

You got Questions? We got Answers... Want to know about the real estate process, how to begin your search, closing costs, buyers costs, how to get prequalified, what about lenders, attorneys, inspectors, painters, moving companies etc., etc...We have all the answers to ensure a smooth transition whether you are coming or going in the Champaign County and surrounding areas. Simply click the image above to get started!

Upcoming Open Houses

Click the image to view our most current open house listings.

Click the image to view our most current open house listings. We invite any and all to take a look at some of our beautiful homes, one of them could be the one for you!

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1902 Fox Drive, C5
Champaign, IL 61820
Tel: 217-398-3100
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Holdren & Associates Inc. 1902 Fox Drive, C5, Champaign, IL 61820
Tel: 217-398-3100
Fax: 217-398-3105

Holdren & Associates Real Estate
You are here: Home / Peggy's Pointers / How to to Prepare for Your Home Search