Hello-
We think we have selected the agency we'll go with, but want to give it just a little more time to let it sink in and make sure it's the right decision. I assume that it's ok to go ahead and start the home study process since we'll have to do so regardless of the agency, correct? We'll likely go with a national agency so will need to get the home study done locally anyway.
Any reason not to go this route? Thanks!
Re: Home study before agency selection?
I can think of a few reasons, which may or may not be applicable to you.
-I'm assuming there's an application process. On the off chance they don't accept your application, or they have a waitlist for new families, you've now put the cart before the horse
-Unless you know who they use/recommend locally, you may get the home study done by the "wrong" people, requiring you to either amend your HS or start again
-Home studies typically expire (usually 1 or 2 years, depending on the state). If you get it done now, and don't even sign with the agency for 3 months, now you've opened yourself up to having to update your HS even sooner. Which is more time, $, etc.
It's very exciting to get to this step and want to do everything as quickly as possible, but there is an order to all of it for a reason.
Just my 2c