Buying a new home is hardly ever simple and straightforward. As a first-time home buyer, you’ll be entering uncharted territory and about to make the biggest investment of your life.
- To help you find a home that’s right for you – at the right price – it pays to enlist the help of a Buyer Agent.
- To help you find a mortgage loan that’s right for you – and fits your budget – it pays to find an experienced Mortgage Loan Officer.
Together, these two advisors can help you find the right home and make a sound financial decision.
The Buyer Agent
You’re going to want to select a real estate agent to work for you exclusively as a buyer agent. Among other things, your buyer agent will:
- Find properties and schedule tours
- Help you determine what your offer should be
- Prepare and present offers
- Negotiate price and terms on your behalf
- Handle numerous forms and disclosure statements
- Schedule and supervise property inspections
The Loan Officer
Your mortgage loan officer will do a lot more than take your loan application. Among other things, your loan officer will:
- Evaluate your overall financial condition
- Provide advice on how to improve your creditworthines
- Educate you on first-time home buyer programs
- Gather documentation and order property appraisals
- Represent your application within the lending institution
How Do You Find Your Advisors?
Most people find their buyer agent and loan officer through referrals from friends and family. You can also check online listings and customer reviews. Look for local experience with first-time home buyers – and for references (including names and phone numbers) from satisfied customers.
For the smoothest home buying experience, work with your advisors right from the start. You can count on them for invaluable guidance every step of the way.
First-Time Home Buyer’s Guide
If you’re thinking about buying your first home, a great place to start is with our First-Time Home Buyer’s Guide, which provides all sorts of advice, tools and tips for the home buying journey. It will give you a clear picture of what to expect all along the way. View or download the guide today for the information you need to make a sound financial decision.
Fili Sanchez (NMLS #528671) is the Vice President and Mortgage Relationship Manager for our Kearney, Riverdale, Burwell and Ord markets. He has been with Heartland Bank for 10 years and has 15 years of mortgage lending experience. He is also a recent graduate of the Advanced School of Banking. Fili enjoys participating in the community with the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Kearney, Nebraska Banker's Association, and serves on the board for the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation. Outside of the bank, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, traveling to kids' sports activities and family vacations.
