The majority of people looking to buy their first home do not have the slightest idea of where to start. Don’t get down, buying a home not something that the average American does that often. In fact, people typically only buy a home once every seven to ten years, so it should come as no surprise that the majority of first-time homebuyers fall into the group of people who may need help being pointed in the right direction on how to get the process started.

Once someone has made up their mind that they are ready to take the leap and become a homeowner, what comes first?

“The starting point for any buyer-to-be is to sit down and have a conversation with a real estate agent that you’re comfortable with and trust. They’ll help you understand what the real estate process looks like and help answer any questions you have on the front end,” says contributor, Harrison Williams, a Nashville-based real estate professional. “This could be a real estate agent that was referred to you by a friend or family, or maybe somebody that you’ve scoped out online, however it never hurts to talk to multiple Realtors so that you find someone to represent your best interests.”

Well that part seems easy enough, but based on feedback from homebuyers across the United States, how to obtain financing is still a major point of uncertainty.

A mortgage lender is a major part of most consumers’ home buying experience and it is not something to be taken lightly as everybody’s financial situation is different, and thus, there are many factors that go into obtaining a loan including: income, debt, credit scores and more.

Online mortgage applications are certainly on the rise as many homebuyers take to the Internet to do research, however, talking to someone in person locally may be even more beneficial. “Regardless of which lender you go with, make sure to shop interest rates and make sure you get pre-approved before you truly start house hunting, because it will save you time and potential heartbreak,” added Williams.

So whether the home buying journey begins with a lender or start by talking things over with a real estate agent, consumers who are proactive will be in a better position than a lot of other people and in this day in age, that’s not something to be overlooked. As Williams notes, “the more informed and prepared a buyer is, the better off they are right now – especially in this market.”

For more information about how to get the home buying process started, Harrison Williams can be reached at (615) 804-8898.