by Mary E. When moving to a duty station and renting, our military family has previously chosen to lease an off-base property because there are frequently long wait lists for pet-friendly base housing (if the pets are even accepted at all).

Although, when we do see “for sale” signs in front yards, it sparks our imagination. We begin to think, “What if we became a homeowner here? How would we make this abode feel like “home”?” Having that line of thinking is kind of fun! As if we could settle down and stay some place for a spell – that’s a rare feeling with this nomadic lifestyle!

• During these COVID times, if you’ve been walking around the neighborhood more, or, if you’ve been taking leisurely suburban drives, you also may have been noticing homes for sale.
  

If you are renting, have you thought about buying?

If you are currently a homeowner, have you thought about selling your current casa and moving to a different spot?

Or, are you and your spouse looking for a remodeling project with an investment property?

With interest rates as good as they are right now, the timing might be right for you to consider your purchasing power.

What is the first step?

Finding a real estate professional can be your first step towards a new address.

Oh, I know how easy it is to scroll through real estate websites. Spending a little time sipping coffee and browsing the listings could make a person feel like they are in loop of the latest and greatest home ads.

However, if you find a top-notch real estate agent, then that everyday superhero will explain the conditions of your local market. The realtor will guide you through the perks and quirks of the home buying process in today’s world. Also, the agent may have the inside scoop on those “coming soon” properties that are sometimes hiding in idyllic neighborhoods.

Can I “interview” a real estate agent, to see if they are a good fit?

Beyond using an online search engine to find out the details on a real estate agent, you may want to have specific questions in mind, like an interview of sorts. Think about asking the realtor something like this -  

Are you familiar with the VA Loan?

If you are reading this and happen to be Active Duty or a Veteran, thank you for your service. If you’ll be choosing a Veteran’s Administration guaranteed home loan (VA Loan) for financing, it’s helpful if the real estate agent has working knowledge of the VA Loan benefit. Yet another fantastic trait of the agents working at The Litton Group is their personal experience with military life and their designation of being Military Relocation Professionals.

How do you see us working together?

Before things get rolling, think about communicating to the real estate agent what you are hoping they will do. Maybe, from binging those tv shows on house hunting, a person may have expectations for what they think their realtor should be up to. Clarify what tasks the realtor will actually be handling, and, what you, as the buyer, need to add to your “to do” list.

Keep in mind, a realtor may work with a team and you might have other agents from their office contact you with links to virtual tours of listings, etc. Perhaps if you find out, ahead of time, about the agent and their team dynamic, it may help avoid any confusion.

As with anything, it’s helpful to keep the lines of communication open. Less drama, more joy!

When you are on your next walk, or out on an upcoming drive, take a moment to think about how buying a house might be worth looking into. Then, consider chatting with a real estate professional. Owning a new home might be the “silver lining” you’ve been looking for in these unprecedented times.

Connect with a Realtor Now!