Read about Ivan and Anne’s homebuying experience, how they saved money on closing costs, and their advice for future buyers.
First Home? Yes.
Beds & Baths: 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom
Homes Looked At: 50-75
Favorite Room: The front yard!
How long was your process from search to close?
We looked casually for a little over year
as prices were going down. We didn’t know a lot about the homebuying process (and we were
a little nervous!), but Ed helped us understand the pros and cons of each house. He was
available any time we wanted to see homes, and could always squeeze us in. We started
making offers in the springtime when prices were starting to rise again, and we closed in
3 weeks, just 10 days after we had our baby!
Were you able to negotiate at all on the price?
Yes, Ed was able to negotiate the closing
costs and saved us about $5,000!
What is one home or garden project you’re looking forward to?
We’d love to get some new
furniture and a dining set.
What is your favorite feature on the ZipRealty website or mobile app?
We were addicted to
the website! It was very informative and provided good comps on homes. We also found Ed
through the website - we were originally working with another agent who would question our
decisions, but Ed was always willing to go see whichever homes we wanted to see. He was
energetic, accommodating, and would call or text right after we requested to visit a home!
Any tips for other buyers?
We didn’t realize how much work the loan process was going to
be. Make sure to get all your paperwork and documentation together beforehand. Also, have
a fax machine or scanner. Be persistent. Watch the market. Spend a lot of time looking, so
you know what you want. Find an agent that fits your style.