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Home Articles Tips for Home Buyers 4 Tips Every renter Should Be Aware of Before buying In Placencia, Belize, Central America
4 Tips Every renter Should Be Aware of Before buying In Placencia, Belize, Central America
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February 24, 2009, by Looey Tremblay in Tips for Home Buyers

I. Don’t Get “Pre-Qualified!

If you're looking to get the very best house you're capable of getting for the least amount of money you'd like to spend in Placencia, Belize, Central America? Next, be sure you are in the optimal position from which to negotiate. Price is only one bargaining chip in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one. Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a seller.

In the past it was our policy to suggest to potential buyers that they try to get qualified for a loan before they apply for it. This means that you spend a few minutes on the phone with a lender who asks you a few questions. Based on the answers, the lender pronounces you “pre-qualified” and issues a certificate that you can show to a seller. Sellers are aware that such certificates are WORTHLESS, and here’s why! This information has not been double checked Oftentimes-unknown problems surface! Glitches on the credit report due to any number of reasons both accurately and inaccurately, down payments that have not been in the clients’ bank account long enough, etc,some of the problems I’ve seen include recorded judgments, child support payments due.

So the way to make a strong offer today is to get “pre-approved”. This happens AFTER all information has been checked and verified. You are actually APPROVED for the loan and the only loose end is the appraisal on the property. This process takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on your situation. Something we strongly suggest for all of our clients to have.

Since you are currently renting a home and don’t have a home to sell you may be at an advantage when competing with other buyers because many buyers must sell their current home before they are able to get financing for another. Two. Play the Game of Nines

Before house hunting in the Placencia, Belize, Central America market, develop a list of about 9 items you want in your new location Then make a list of the nine things you don’t want. “NINE OF THIS AND NONE OF THAT”,I call this You can use this list as a scorecard to rate each property that you see. The one with the biggest score wins! This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you’re comparing dozens of homes. When house hunting in the Placencia, Belize, Central America, keep in mind the difference between “SKIN AND BONES”. The BONES are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor plan. Easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings,the SKIN represents. Buy the house with good BONES, because the SKIN can always be changed to match your tastes. We always recommend that you imagine each house as if it were vacant. Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller’s decorating skills. Third: A good agent will show everything available that will meet your requirements. You should not make a decision on a house until you have seen enough to pick the best one. Go to the Multiple Listing computer with your agent to make sure that you are getting a COMPLETE list of homes for sale in Placencia, Belize, Central America get the home you really want instead of whatever the agent has chosen to let you take a look at.

In the late 1980’s, homes in Placencia, Belize, Central America were selling quickly, usually a few days after listing. In this type of market, agents recommended that their customers place an offer instantly if they were interested in the home. That was good advice at the time. Today there isn’t always this urgency, unless a home is drastically under priced, and you’ll know if it is. Remember the dangers of waiting too long; the property could be sold before your bid arrives. If you really like a house, get an offer written and make sure your agent writes in the proper clauses to get you out of the offer.

Let's not forget that when making your consideration, also remember to do research into the SCHOOL DISTRICTS that are located in the same area. For more information about schools in the Placencia, Belize, Central America market you can visit my website at www.BelizePropertyCenter.com. Information is available on every school; such as class sizes, % of students that go on to college, SAT scores, etc.

4. Stop Calling Ads!

Take care - the agents in Placencia, Belize, Central America market create ads solely to make the phone ring! Some of the drawbacks the ad neglects to mention are traffic noise, power lines, and even litigation inside the community. What’s not mentioned in the ad is usually more important than what is. For this reason, we want you to be very careful when reading ads. Remember that the person writing the ad is representing the seller and not you in most cases! The most important thing you can do is have someone on your side looking out for your best interests. Your own agent will critique the property with an eye towards how well it meets your needs and will point out any drawbacks you should know about.So whether you decide to work with us or not, pick an agent you feel comfortable with and enlist the services of that agent as a buyer’s broker. Then you become a client with all the rights, benefits, and privileges created by this agency relationship, and you’re no longer just a shopper. Did you know that many homes are sold WITHOUT A SIGN ever going up or an AD EVER BEING PUT IN THE PAPER? These “great deals” go to those people who are committed to working with one agent. When an agent hears of a great buy, who do you think he’s going to callQuestion: His client, who he has a legal obligation to work hard for you, or someone who just called on the phone and said “keep your eyes open”Question: To get the most bang for your buck, buy property in the Placencia, Belize, Central America Our highest recommendation is find yourself an agent you're comfortable with and stick with him or her for all your real estate market needs.

A plethora of data on the subject of selling, buying or investments is out there at no cost. Placencia, Belize, Central America real estate. For complete information about the Placencia, Belize, Central America real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Placencia, Belize, Central America property So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 501-678-7000 or email me at looey@belizepropertycenter.com.

For more information, check out Belize Eco Community Houses at www.belizehouses.net

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