Best Financing: A 3-Point Plan to Maximize Your Buying Power

Buyer Beware: Don’t Start with Househunting

Most homebuyers begin their journey by browsing for homes. But if your goal is to get the most home for the least money, this is one of the last steps you should take. Instead, smart buyers know that the process starts by securing the best financing options available.

This quick-read report outlines 3 crucial steps you should follow to save money and secure the best terms when buying your next home.

Step 1: Ask These 3 Critical Questions

When choosing a real estate agent to help you buy a home, make sure you ask:

  1. Can you get me quick, easy, and FREE mortgage preapproval?

  2. Do you have access to special low down payments, monthly payments, and interest rates?

  3. Can you give me advance notice of listings that match my homebuying criteria?

If your agent can’t confidently answer “yes” to all three, it may be time to keep looking.

Step 2: Get Preapproved for a Mortgage

Getting preapproved before househunting comes with major advantages:

  • Peace of mind: You’ll know exactly how much you can afford.

  • Interest rate protection: You’ll lock in your rate. If rates go up, you’re protected; if they go down, you get the lower rate.

  • Serious buyer status: Sellers take you more seriously with written preapproval in hand.

Unlike verbal approvals, a written preapproval is based on a completed credit application and confirms the amount a lender will finance for you. It’s essentially money in the bank—and most mortgage brokers offer it at no cost or obligation.

Step 3: Access Special Low-Financing Programs

Top-performing agents—those who handle hundreds of transactions each year—often build strong relationships with lenders. These connections can translate into:

  • Preferred access to low down payment programs

  • Reduced interest rates and monthly payments

  • Flexible mortgage options that are easier to qualify for

These benefits can make homeownership affordable sooner than you thought possible, helping you secure your dream home without stretching your budget.

Step 4: Use a Househunting Service

Many agents offer automated househunting programs that match available homes to your exact criteria—such as location, price, size, and features.

Here’s how it works:

  • You provide your agent with a list of what you're looking for.

  • You receive advance alerts, including photos and details of matching listings—before they hit the public market.

  • You can drive by the homes that interest you before requesting a showing.

  • This helps you beat other buyers to the best deals—and may even give you an edge in negotiating a better price.

Pro Tip: With the right agent and strategy, you’ll be empowered to make smarter financial decisions, gain early access to listings, and enjoy a more confident and successful buying experience