Here are seven tips for millennials buying their first home.


Buying your first home can be the funnest and scariest thing at the same time. I found through my years of selling real estate, it doesn't have have to be scary. We can make it fund if we're prepared for it. So today I hope we get you prepared for buying your first home. So the first thing I recommend is that you get a separate savings account.

So although you may select a loan option that is no money down or 3% 5%, maybe you want to put 20% down, you want a separate savings account to put that money in so you know that it just doesn't get eat up with just other expenses in the household. But also at the same time, even if you're going with a no money down option, there's always going to be closing costs that you have to consider. Number two, you need to take really good care of your credit. So although you can get a home with not so great credit, the better your credit is, the lower your interest rate is going to be and the better terms you can have on your loan. So taking care of your credit will go a long way in bringing value to the process.

Number three, understanding all the costs involved. There are lots of different costs, whether it be inspection fees, whether it's closing cost or down payment. We want to make sure you're educated through all of the costs that are going to be involved through the process. Number four, and this is a big one, work with a local lender. A local lender in many cases can save you money and can be there to explain things in detail, in detail to help you find the right loan package for you.


Just because you have a national company telling you they have the best rates and lowest fees, they're not all created equal. And having that local person you can talk to I guarantee will bring you more value than what you'll find on the national market. Number six, research the neighborhood and the type of home that you want. We want to be really clear on what your goals are when buying a home. If we have wide expectations, it's going to be really hard for us to narrow in on what's going to be the best fit for your family.

So determine the location first. Once you determine the location, then let's start identifying those three to five things that are must haves in a home. Once that's done, you talk to the lender and we can then narrow down the price point to fit it in. But let's get those details narrowed down. Number six, understand your home inspection.

This is a really big one. Now in Louisiana, most of the homes when they sell, pretty much every home I've ever sold, unless it's new construction is going to be sold as is, where it is but that doesn't mean you give up your right to inspect that home. And what we're looking for is either major expense items that are going to hit you and you may not be willing to move forward with it. And we're looking for safety items. Even new construction homes are going to have a very big laundry list of inspection items we need to address.

So we look at that as being kind of a home repair checklist. It kind of tells you what needs to happen as you move forward living in that home. But we really want to hone in on those safety items and those big ticket items when it comes to the home inspection. And we can guide you through that process. And the last thing, and it's right up there with getting the best lender, hiring the right real estate agent.

We're not all created equal. We're not all full time in the business. You want to get references, you want to interview more than one. You want someone who doesn't need to sell your house to make their bills for next month. You need to make sure they're on your side throughout the entire process so they can give you good professional advice so that you can get the home that's going to be the best fit for you.