So you are ready to purchase a home. Where do you start? A great place to start the process is with engaging a real estate professional. Anyone can show homes but only a qualified real estate broker will help you navigate the process from contacting a financial planner, introducing you to a qualified lender and discuss your needs and wants to find you the right home. They should have access to off market properties as well as the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to ensure you see everything that is available that fits your "must have" list. Qualified real estate professionals bring expertise and guidance that will make sure that you not only find a home that you love but one that will appreciate and will be marketable when you are ready to sell.