Are you thinking about buying a house in Walla Walla? Before you do anything else, figure out how you are going to finance the purchase. For most people, this will mean connecting with a lender. This is a key step because:

• It answers a fundamental question: How much can we afford? This tells us the range of houses we should pursue.

• It gets you pre-approved with a lender. This makes it possible for us to make an offer immediately if we see the house we want.

This second point is critical. In a seller’s market, where we are potentially competing with other buyers, being able to move quickly can be the difference in getting the home of our dreams. During COVID-19, it is also a requirement to be pre-approved. This keeps all parties safe by limiting those people touring homes only to serious buyers.

It’s also beneficial to work with a local lender. Our local lenders have close connections with appraisers who know the Walla Walla market. Being able to physically meet with a lender can make a difference too in keeping your closing date on track.

So while I want you to call me when it’s time to buy a new house, call your lender too.