If this was the year that you planned to buy a home in Denver, it still can be! The process has changed a bit in order to keep everyone safe, but people are still buying homes. In fact last week, 951 buyers put their dream home under contract in the Denver Metro area, despite it being the first week of viewing homes exclusively online. Here are five things you can do now to keep the momentum going so that you're ready to hit the ground running when the timing is right for you.
1. TALK TO A LENDER TO GET PRE-APPROVED OR RE-APPROVED
Lending requirements have changed recently and interest rates have been fluctuating. Reach out to your lender to discuss your options and get an updated pre-approval letter.
2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A REALTOR ON YOUR SIDE
It's more important than ever to have a trusted professional advisor on your side. The Denver real estate market isnot business as usual, asbusiness practices and the market itself continue to evolve and change. Your REALTOR will keep you up to date on the current standards of practice, market conditions, statistics, and tactics.
3. RESEARCH NEIGHBORHOODS ONLINE
Location is an important lifestyle component and therefore a critical part of your home search. Denver has so many diverse and unique urban neighborhoods and suburbs to explore. Take time to think about what's important to you when it comes to location, which amenities top your list, and areas you'd like to learn more about. Then do some online research to discover new neighborhoods, re-discover your favorite 'hoods, and rule out areas that don't fit your lifestylein order to narrow your focus for when it's time to pick up your home search.
4. STAY EDUCATED ABOUT THE MARKET
Your Live Urban REALTOR can keep you up to date on current market statistics with our weekly neighborhood specificmarket insightreport, as well assend you new listings daily so you can get a feel for home values and what to expect in your price range. It's important to look for homes in the range that your lender pre-approves you for. Looking at homes above your price point could create unattainable home goals and disappointment when home shopping.
5. GET COMFORTABLE GOING VIRTUAL
The Coronavirus pandemic has forced REALTORS to get creative and go virtual with home showings as well as client meetings. It's changed the way that we do business, from start to close. Buyers can extensively view a home online before seeing it in person through virtual tours like Matterports and video walkthroughs. It's also important to understand how the entire home buying process has changed due to COVID-19. Click here to download a comprehensive PDF of ourvirtual buyingservices and the virtual buying process. And check out all of our virtual showings here.
You don't have to completely pause your home search while you œstay-at-home. You can remain engaged by doing these five things and be more educated and ready than ever when it's time to pick up where you left off.
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