By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems

While COVID-19 is still going viral and many people are sidelined from our usual activities, you don't have to press Pause on your dream of finding a home. Here are four things you can do right now to keep your home search on track, so you're ready to go when the pandemic subsides.

Get Pre-Approved for a mortgage
Use this time to take one of the most important steps in buying a house. A pre-approval will show you how much a lender is willing to finance, and it shows sellers and their agents you're serious. It's a great time to gather up necessary documents like income verification, credit history, and asset documents. You can even call a lender as financial institutions are deemed essential services and reach out to a lender.

Virtually connect with an agent.
Start working with a trusted Realtor so you're ready to move quickly when the right house pops up. However you connect, a Realtor can help you navigate today's market without bringing your plans to a halt.

Do some research.
Use your newfound downtime to look into things like down payment assistance programs in your part of the Hudson Valley. You might benefit from a low down payment option when you make your home purchase.

Go virtual house shopping.
You may not be able to look at homes in person right now, but you can still look online. Many real estate websites (Including ours) use virtual tours and search pages to show what's available where you want to live. Make a list of "Must Haves" and "Nice to Have" features to guide you in your quest.

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