First Time Home Buyer Tips

Are you a first time home buyer?  Or perhaps it has been a while since you’ve purchased a home.  The process to purchase a home has become more complex largely due to the changes in the banking industry.

Consider following these 12 steps to help you navigate the process of purchasing a home for the first time. Also, you do not have to be a first time home buyer to take some of these tips into account if it has been a while since you have purchased a new home.

First Time Home Buyer Steps to a Successful Home Purchase:

1.  SAVE:  You’ll need money for a down payment, closing costs and escrow for insurance and taxes.  All of these costs add up to more than most buyers realize.
2.  CREDIT SCORES:  Unless you already have great credit, take steps to improve your credit score.  Pay all of your bills on time, do not make any major purchases and do not close any credit cards. A better credit score equals a better interest rate which results in a lower house payment.
3. CALCULATE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD:  Use a mortgage calculator to determine what you can afford for a monthly payment.
4. GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE:  Connect with a trusted mortgage lender to obtain pre-approval for the mortgage before you begin your search.  This process will help determine how much you can spend on a house and still get financing.  You will need a confirmation letter that shows you qualify for a mortgage when you submit an offer on a home or condo.
5. DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF HOME YOU WANT:  Do you want a house or a condo?  Where do you want to be located?  Create a check list of items you think you “must have” in a home and also create a list of items that would be “nice to have”.
6. CHOOSE A REALTOR:  Choose a Realtor to guide you through the process.  A Realtor will help you find a home that fits your needs and make sure you avoid mistakes in the purchasing process.
7. VISIT HOMES:  Your Realtor will do all the work to identify homes that fit your interests and they’ll make appointments for you to go visit the homes.  Take photos and notes so you can reference them later.
8. NARROW YOUR CHOICES:  Start eliminating neighborhoods that don’t fit your criteria.  Drive by those that you are interested in during the day and night to gauge traffic and noises.
9. MAKE AN OFFER:  Again your Realtor will do all the work!  Discuss what offer price makes the most sense based on what other homes are selling for in the community.  Your real estate agent will prepare all the paperwork and act as the negotiator throughout the process.  They will also ensure you have the appropriate contingency paperwork included in the transaction which would give you the opportunity to walk away from the transaction if an unexpected issue (Ex. The home needs a new roof) arises.
10. SCHEDULE A HOME INSPECTION:  Your Realtor will help you identify a good home inspector to evaluate the home and determine if there are any issues.  If the inspector does identify problems with the home, your Realtor will help negotiate a lower price on the home or ensure the repairs will be addressed prior to closing on the home.
11. FINAL WALK THROUGH:  You will walk through the home one last time right before the closing.  At this point you’ll be able to confirm the house still appears as it did when you agreed to the contract and any agreed upon repairs have been made.  If it is a new construction home, you’ll be able to create a punch list of items that need to be fixed prior to closing.
12. CLOSE AND MOVE IN:  Sign the paperwork, grab your new keys and move in!  Congratulations, it is time to celebrate!!

More Resources for the First Time Home Buyer:

Spring Home Buying Tips for First Time Home Buyers by The Mortgage Brothers

What Not to Do Before Buying a Home by Bill Gassett

May 29, 2018 Posted by Matt

October 10, 2015 Posted by Matt

Ah yes, the par 3 prayer for a hole-in-one, not exactly a rare occurrence…

I must be doing something wrong since I’ve only had one ace.  How many hole-in-ones have you had?

October 10, 2015 Posted by Matt

If your ball lands in heavy rough near the green, do not try a normal pitch or chip shot.  The best way to get the ball up and out of the rough is a flop shot.  Open the face of your most lofted wedge so it sits almost flat on the ground.  Make a long, slow backswing and through swing.  Keep your hands still so the face stays open and your hands do not shut down the face.  The club should slide under the ball as it picks up speed through impact.  Grip the handle lightly, and let the club do the work of getting the ball into the air.

October 9, 2015 Posted by Matt

New home sales surge 5.7 percent nationwide according to data recently release by HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Some New Home Sales Highlights:

• The median price of a newly constructed home is currently $292,700.
• Sales are up 5.7% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year.
• Many buyers are looking to new homes as an option due to the lack of inventory of existing homes for sale.

Are you considering purchasing a home in Naples FL? Or perhaps Bonita Springs?  Let me be your guide.  Contact Matt Klinowski at 239-370-0892.

October 9, 2015 Posted by Matt

Many golfers hit poor chip shots and poor pitch shots because they decelerate as they come into the ball.  The usual result is a ball that gets just onto the green and ends up woefully short of the hole.  In practice, concentrate on making a slow and controlled backswing that is not overly long for your chip and pitch shots.  Make a crisp movement with the club toward the ball, and let the club go through without stopping.  By accelerating through the shot, your pitches and chips will hit and roll out to the hole more often.  You can set the distance you need to move the ball by the length of your backswing.  Be consistent in the speed that you use to go through the ball, and you will see a big improvement on your short game.

October 8, 2015 Posted by Matt

Naples ranks highly among the U.S. cities with active luxury home listings. In fact, Naples Ranks in the Top 10 in the country for luxury home listings.  In the $1 million-and-up range, Naples is No. 6 with 792 listings. In the $5 million-and-up range, Naples is No. 9 with 86 listings. And in the $10 million-and-up range, Naples is No. 10 with 25 listings.

Naples Ranks in the Top 10 for Luxury Listings. Check out the 10 most expensive homes in Naples.

1.  $68,000,000  3100 Gordon Dr., Naples FL 34102
2.  $58,000,000  2750 Gordon Dr., Naples FL 34102
3.  $49,000,000  1832 Galleon Dr., Naples FL 34102
4.  $22,900,000  840 Admiralty Parade, Naples FL 34102
5.  $20,000,000  3555 Gordon Dr., Naples FL 34102
6.  $19,900,000  1650 Galleon Dr., Naples FL 34102
7.  $19,900,000  7621 Bay Colony Dr., Naples FL 34108
8.  $18,500,000  1672 Galleon Dr., Naples FL 34102
9.  $17,900,000  3450 Rum Row, Naples FL 34102
10.  $17,500,000  3550 Gordon Dr., Naples FL 34102

View the the Top 10 luxury homes in Naples, FL

Are you considering buying a luxury home in Naples FL?  Let me be your guide.

Contact Matt Klinowski at 239-370-0892.

October 8, 2015 Posted by Matt

Maybe a new golf shaft will help you.  The shaft of the club is very important since it affects the type of ball flight that you will produce.  If you hit a slice, you should look into a shaft that has more torque.  Torque is the ability of a shaft to turn to square as it comes into impact.  Golfers who have high swing speed do not want the shaft to torque too much, as it will cause a hook.  But for the average golfer who slices, the added torque will close the face to square so that you will hit straighter shots.  Also, if your drives fly too low, look into a softer flex.  This will help the ball get higher into the air.  I recommend asking your pro for a club fitting.  He or she will be able to guide you through the process of matching your swing speed to the appropriate  golf shaft.

October 8, 2015 Posted by Matt

Looking for a home in a golf community in Naples?  Check out this brand new listing for a 3 bed, 3 bath single family home in Wyndemere Country Club at 199 Edgemere Way S. in Naples.

Golf clubs and beach towels, that’s all you’ll need! Everything in this home has been updated! Kitchen, baths with glass showers, tile and hardwood flooring throughout, carpet in the master, fresh paint, new fixtures and ceiling fans, everything! Light and bright, very private lanai and with neighbors on one side only! To the east is a park like area and having a southern rear exposure the pool is in the sunlight all day every day! Over-sized garage, expanded driveway, 1/3 an acre lot, brilliant floor plan and a lanai that’s almost as big as the house, you’ll see this one was very well thought out.

Wyndemere Country Club includes a 27 hole championship golf course designed by Arthur Hills.  The club house has recently been renovated and the club is currently adding boccie ball courts.

View More Photos.

Considering buying a home in Naples?  Or perhaps Bonita Springs?  Let me be your guide.  Contact Matt Klinowski, golf community real estate expert for the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero areas (239-370-0892).

October 7, 2015 Posted by Matt

Here is a little trick for better putts.  When you hold your putter, make sure you use a light grip, so the putter head will release through the ball at impact.  Good putters use their shoulders in a rocking motion to propel the stroke instead of using their hands.  Move the thumb of your bottom hand away from the middle of the grip, sot that it sits just on one side or the other of the handle.  This will help keep your hands from being too active and force you to use your shoulders in a rocking motion to move your arms and hands during the stroke.  Try to keep your hands “quiet” but not stiff as you swing the putter.

October 4, 2015 Posted by Matt

Do you ever ask yourself why your practice swing is perfect, but then when you go to hit the ball you go right back to your old golf swing?  When you take a practice swing you are focused on swinging towards the target and finishing your swing instead of focusing on the golf ball.

When you are trying to change your swing, you are even more likely to focus on the ball instead of your finish.  Most golfers tend to hit “at” the ball instead of making a good swing and the ball gets in the way of the golf club.  Amateurs often hit and stop their swing instead of finishing their swing which usually makes the outcome of the shot even worse.  You need to focus more on the target and your swing thought should be “finish my swing”.  Try to hold your finish for two seconds.

According to one of the top PGA Teaching professionals, Dr. Jim Suttie, a couple of drills you can do include:

1. Full swings at one half and one quarter speed
2. Starting at the finish of your swing and then making a full swing from there
3. Have your teacher pull the ball away on your downswing.