Real Stories

Skeptical Buyer Finds Home in Two Weeks

March 2009

For Hugh and his wife, buying their first home seemed like the natural thing to do.  They had just had their first child and were ready to move from their Scotch Plains rental apartment to a larger space in Fords (Middlesex County).  However, as ready as his wife might have been, Hugh was skeptical.

“I was hesitant when my wife first suggested we look,” Hugh said.  “I didn’t think that we would be able to afford the type of place we wanted, and with all the news about difficulty getting credit in this market, I wasn’t sure about qualifying for a mortgage.”

Hugh’s wife was able to convince him to take the next step, though, and they met with a REALTOR^®, Adi.  Hugh learned about incentives and programs, such as the first-time home buyer tax credit and the NJ HMFA’s Smart Start program that offers a second mortgage for a down payment and/or closing costs, which helped quell his initial concerns.  He said that his mortgage pre-approval process was nerve-racking at first, but went by easily because he trusted his financial advisor.

“The mortgage expert at our REALTOR^®’s office gave us good advice and was very comforting and reassuring,” he explained. 

Hugh discovered that the home-buying process is emotional.  After falling in love with a house in Fords, he and his wife trusted Adi to guide them through the offer and contract process.  With Adi’s help, the couple was able to go under contract just two weeks after they found the home. 

“We were motivated, and Adi made it easy,” said Hugh.  “He gave us the facts about the market and was realistic about what amenities and prices we should expect to get, as well as how much paperwork we would have to fill out.  He cared about our family and related to our needs.”

Hugh offered some advice for other home buyers. 

He said that it can be scary at first, especially because there are many documents to fill out and scrutiny is placed on one’s finances.  But, he reiterated that it is important to become educated about the process. 

“Having experienced professionals on your side is important.  If it wasn’t for the people who helped me, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”