National Homeownership Month – First-Time Buyers

In recognition of National Homeownership Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the home buying process. Each home buying journey is unique, as are the challenges that people face en route to becoming a homeowner. These three stories of first-time homebuyers showcase the importance of working closely with an agent to navigate the buying process and find the perfect home.

Maria and Alvaro – Windermere Agent Team: The Brazens

Being first-time homebuyers, Maria and Alvaro knew they would have to adjust to the changes in the market. They were among a large influx of buyers buying during the pandemic, so they were aware that sellers had high expectations when it came to accepting an offer. A confluence of factors, including the pandemic, low interest rates, and many buyers’ desire for homes with more space, were igniting bidding wars left and right, with houses often going well above asking price. This also drove up listing prices on comparable homes in the area. These factors forced Maria and Alvaro to be flexible when it came to location and what they had previously considered “must-haves” for their ideal home at the beginning of their search.

They worked closely with their agents Taylor Brazen Tagge and Randi Brazen of The Brazens—a family-led real estate team based in Bellevue, Washington—to find the right competitive balance in what they were able to offer before hitting the market. This meant, in some cases, adjusting their expectations about what the “perfect” home was for them and having the patience to wait until they found it. They knew that when they time came; they would have to be aggressive in their approach.

Maria and Alvaro relied on Taylor and Randi throughout the buying process. The Brazen team’s knowledge of the Bellevue area provided the guidance and advice they were looking for to help them make informed decisions. The Brazens met with them at several showings, walked them through neighborhoods, and made themselves available to answer any and all questions they had along the way. The trust they formed in the early stages of working together laid a foundation for a friendship that translated to a successful experience navigating the market. They eventually found the home of their dreams, and although Maria and Alvaro miss working with the Brazens, they are grateful for the ultimate success of their home buying journey.

For Maria and Alvaro, homeownership is not just a financial investment; it is the start of a new chapter that will eventually provide the means for them to grow their family. They encourage buyers to be patient in finding their perfect home. It may be challenging at times, but the reward is so worth it.

Jocelyn – Windermere Agent: Nick Odermann

During her yearlong home search, Jocelyn’s expectations were quickly replaced with the reality of the hot housing market amid the pandemic. While touring homes, she realized that many listings were in worse condition than the photos implied, so she adjusted her expectations to remain levelheaded through the process. She experienced the pandemic buying frenzy first-hand when she was outbid multiple times and saw several homes sell for significantly higher prices than what they were listed for.

Luckily, Jocelyn had a trustworthy agent at her side by the name of Nick Odermann, who is one half of the Odermann Brothers team in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Together with his brother Steve, Nick helped Jocelyn navigate the challenges of finding a home in a seller’s market. Jocelyn was living in Southern California at the time, so she relied heavily on Nick’s judgement as he toured homes on her behalf. She had a specific vision of her dream home and Nick stayed true to it, quickly pointing out which homes would not suffice. When Jocelyn began to lose hope, Nick stayed positive. He was sure the perfect home was out there—and he was right.

For Jocelyn, homeownership is her path to adulthood. Now that she has a home, she looks forward to growing her pet care business. Becoming a homeowner was a major life goal of hers, and now that she’s achieved it with the help of her Windermere agent, she couldn’t be happier.

Jake – Windermere Agent: Taylor Hinds

It’s common for first-time homebuyers to learn as they go through the process, and Jake quickly discovered that information was the key to overcoming challenges. For example, he had no idea what earnest money was or that it was something he had to factor in on top of his mortgage. Learning that helped him work with his Seattle-area agent, Taylor Hinds, to form a strategy for making an offer.

Like the buyers above, Jake was buying in a hot seller’s market during the pandemic. He was surprised by how cash-ready sellers expected buyers to be. Luckily, he had a team behind him who were communicative and transparent throughout the whole process. When it came time to write a competitive offer, he leaned on Taylor’s expertise and advice to make the offer as attractive as possible, which eventually made all the difference in securing a home.

To Jake, homeownership means having a place to call your own, a place to be proud of. He looks forward to creating memories in his new home and building equity over time.

To begin your own home buying journey, connect with an experienced Windermere Real Estate agent today: