Before you begin looking at homes in your neighborhood or dreaming about the lovely Cape Cod on the corner, you must first find out whether owning a home is realistic at this point in your life. And to do this, you need to talk to a professional and get yourself preapproved for a home loan.

A mortgage preapproval, which is done through a lender, is like a green light for buying your first home. It will determine whether your credit and income are sufficient for obtaining a home loan, and it will provide you with an accurate amount for which you can spend on a home. In short, a mortgage preapproval will arm you with the information you need to purchase a home.

A mortgage preapproval, in addition to providing you with the information necessary for purchasing a Cordillera Ranch property, is important for a number of other reasons:

• Many real estate agents will only work with buyers who are preapproved for a mortgage because, in simplest terms, they don’t want to waste their time showing a buyer a home, only to find out they can’t get approved for a loan of that size, or they cannot get approved for a loan at all. Therefore, one of the first things a realtor will ask you before working with you is if you have been preapproved for a mortgage.
• Many sellers and seller’s agents do not want to show homes to buyers who have not been preapproved for a mortgage – Again, sellers and seller’s agents only want to spend time with buyers who are capable of buying their home.
• A mortgage preapproval shows everyone you are a serious buyer – If you submit an offer on a home without a mortgage preapproval, chances are it will be declined. Sellers want to see that you’ve already done your homework and that you’re ready to come to the table with a serious offer; and a mortgage preapproval shows you’re serious.
• A mortgage preapproval may give you more bargaining and negotiating power – If you put in an offer on a Cordillera Ranch home with a mortgage preapproval, and another buyer, without a mortgage preapproval, puts in an offer, it is more like the seller will entertain and accept your offer over the buyer without the preapproval. This is because your offer comes with an insurance policy that says the seller can comfortably accept your offer without fear of the sale not going through.

Your Bandera County home is likely a reflection of you. It is the place where you raise your family and spend time together. As such, your home likely has numerous personal effects. However, it is these personal touches that could turn buyers off or distract them from your home. Here’s how to de-personalize your home before selling:

• Take down the family photos that line the wall – Your family photo wall is your pride and joy, but to buyers it does little more than distract them. It is best to take down personal photographs and replace them with inexpensive mirrors or artwork, as this will allows buyers to imagine themselves in your home; not remind them that the home belongs to you.
• Remove your collections – Your doll collection lining the living room mantel or your collection of spoons along the kitchen wall are very important to you, but not to buyers. When selling your Bandera County home, part of depersonalizing it means removing personal effects like collections. Collections of anything in your home clutter rooms and may distract buyers from noticing the room’s many features. In other words, how can you expect buyers to appreciate the beautiful living room fireplace if your dolls are blocking it?
• Put away mail and other personal information – Before showing your home make sure all personal information about you and your family is safely tucked away. From the mail on the kitchen table to your checkbook and last week’s paystub, it is important to never give buyers access to your personal or financial information. If you have a locked desk or drawer, use it, and always make sure money and credit cards are also under lock and key.
• Remove hobbies or other personal effects – Because it is unlikely that buyers will have an appreciation for your hobbies or other personal interests, it is best to put away things such as mounted deer heads, gun displays, craft supplies and your stack of DVDs. Keep in mind, also, that it is possible that some buyers may be offended by certain personal items, so it is always a good idea to make your home as neutral and de-personalized as possible before the first buyer walks through the door.