Strategy # 1: Pre-Approval

As the first step, we encourage you to prequalify before you buy. Why? Because we can help you save on the purchase price and gain thousands in seller credits.

We will also help you prepare for a smooth home purchase by reviewing your credit report. This is very important because we find nearly half of all credit reports have inaccuracies on them. Now is the time to see your credit report and clear up those inaccuracies, if there are any.

Sellers and their real estate agents will take you seriously as a buyer and carefully consider your offer once you are pre-qualified. This gives you a strong advantage over other buyers who are just out looking and making offers without the benefit of prequalification. We have seen sellers reject a higher offer price from a buyer who was not pre-approved in favor of selling to a pre-approved buyer who offered a lower offer price.

When we finish, you will understand your credit report and we will establish a maximum loan amount and monthly payment you feel comfortable with. You will also know about loan options, government grants, and ways to save money on your home purchase.

Then you will be ready to make an offer that will be well-received taken very seriously by the seller and the listing agent. You'll find you can save thousands because you came to pre-qualify with us and received valuable insight to help you prepare to buy a home.

Some lenders charge for pre-approval applications, but we would be happy to complete your pre-approval at no cost. You can apply for pre-approval online -- and we will call you to discuss your options over the phone or set up a meeting.

Click here to apply for pre-approval online or to schedule a free consultation to discuss your financial options.

Srategy # 2: Seller Closing Cost Credits

Although this is applies more down the road, when you're making your offer to purchase and not so much during your pre-approval, it is good to know. We've had very good success getting offers accepted that stipulate for the sellers to pay our buyer's closing costs while giving the buyer a good purchase price.

It is not uncommon for sellers to pay the buyer’s closing costs or even a “discount point” to help the buyer receive a lower interest rate, but these are things that must specifically requested in the offer to purchase. Normally closing costs on a home loan are the responsibility of the buyer. However, in the offer to purchase, you can request that the seller pay some or all of your closing costs as well as any percentage in terms of discount points which is a fee paid to a lender at closing to lower your interest rate.

When the seller agrees to pay your closing costs out of the sale proceeds, it reduces the amount of cash you bring to closing. When we represent you as a buyer, we will help you negotiate favorable terms in the offer to purchase. Click here for information on buyer representation.

Strategy # 3: Low  Down Payment & Government Grant Programs

You may be able to afford more home than you thought or have been told with the help of government-backed home loan and grant programs! By far, most people can qualify for low down government-backed financing and many first-time home buyers can also qualify for grants and "forgivable loans" for downpayment assistance. Grant programs are for smaller amounts of money - a few thousand dollars to cover downpayment and closing costs. Mortgage programs provide long-term home financing, often with below-market interest rates.

We cover this information in detail and give you the appropriate information and contacts according to the city or municipality of the home you buy in our Free Greater Milwaukee Home Buyer's Course which you can request below: