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Fairfield Realtor Offers Home-Buying Tips

GREENWICH, Conn. - Danielle Claroni is an expert on all things Greenwich. She is a 30-year resident of the town as well as a blogger and Realtor for the New England Land Co. In 2010, Claroni was rewarded for her local know-how when she was named Greenwich Realtor of the Year.

She has also won the Five Star Professional Award for Fairfield and Westchester counties, an award voted on by consumers for customer service. 

Below are Claroni's four tips for closing the deal on the home of your dreams:

THINK AHEAD

Though a home may seem perfect for the buyer now, they have to consider that they may be in it for a long time and their family structure may change.  A home they are considering buying must be able to give them the flexibility they will need should they renovate or expand it and the neighborhood must also be able to warrant them making these improvements. 

PLAY BY THE RULES (OF YOUR TOWN)

Make sure you understand FAR (Floor Area Ratio) regulations as well as the new “green space” regulations in Greenwich. Understanding them may be a little tricky, so if you have any thoughts of expanding or finishing unused space in the home, make sure to check with an architect. 

SMART SHOPPING PAYS OFF 

When shopping for mortgage rates and making a decision to establish a relationship with a bank or mortgage broker, ask questions about what accounts should be kept well-funded so the underwriter can see that there is a history in those accounts. 

All buyers should be sure to have the down-payment, deposit and at least six months of mortgage payments in the accounts being looked at by the mortgage company. And a bank such as Chase, HSBC and BNY Mellon Wealth Management will act more favorably toward a buyer if the funds are at their bank.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Being informed about the town, community and neighborhood you are planning to buy in will help your home buying experience go well.  A local Realtor is a great source of information and can point you in the right direction.  Make sure to ask him or her whatever questions come to mind and don’t be afraid that he or she may think it’s an uninformed question - it may turn out to be the most important question of all.

For inquires, contact Danielle Claroni via e-mail at danielle@newenglandland.com or by phone at (203) 570-8110.

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