Buying a home is a safe and secure way to invest in your future.  Real estate in Waco has had its ups and downs but has historically been isolated from the wild swings the market has taken elsewhere in the country, even in Texas, showing a gradual and steady appreciation over the past two decades. The Waco real estate market is unique in its affordability and overall stability as compared to other Texas markets, resulting in a win-win situation for homeowners and investors.

Perhaps the most important step you will take in your journey to own a home in Waco is to get approved for a loan. In fact, it should be one of the first steps you take in the process of buying a home, but all too often it is an afterthought. I get calls all the time from interested buyers who say, "We want to buy a house but don't know where to start."

Start by talking to a lender, they can help you get "pre-approved" for a loan. A good loan officer can get you pre-approved over the phone in just a few minutes. It's really pretty painless. They will ask you a few questions about your income and your current financial obligations and usually that day can let you know whether you qualify for a loan and how much they'd be willing to lend you.

With a pre-approval, you save yourself time, and position yourself to respond quickly when you find just the right house.  Getting pre-approved also helps you avoid shopping for homes you cannot afford.  You may even find out you can afford more home than you thought.

For a more detailed explanation of the role of the lender in a home buying process please check out this article I wrote for the Waco Real Estate Weblog:  Real Estate 101  It contains lots of valuable information for the first time home buyer.

Already own your home? If you act quickly, refinancing could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Interest rates are still historically low so if you've not refinanced your home in the past two years, NOW is the time to do it before they climb back up again.

Call me today and I'll help you get the home buying process started so you'll be ready to buy your perfect home when it hits the market.