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Budget and Timeframe
Figure out what you can afford. Think carefully about all the costs of owning a home — not just the down payment and mortgage. Don’t forget about homeowners association fees, maintenance costs, taxes and private mortgage insurance, if you need it. Be honest with yourself and your agent about how much you are willing and able to spend. While not necessary, it’s smart to be preapproved or at least but prequalified for a certain mortgage amount.
If you’re in a hurry to find a new place, your agent needs to know. If you have plenty of time to search, agents will handle that differently, perhaps sending periodic listings that match your exact wish list.of the way.
Location, Type & Size
Be prepared to tell your agent where you want to live, being as specific as possible. It may be a larger search, such as a radius around a specific location, it may be a particular town or city, or it may be as specific as a single neighborhood. Also let your agent know if you need to be close to public transportation or in a specific school district. He or she may know of an alternative location that you may not have considered.
Do you want a single-family home, a condominium, or some other type of property? Size is also an important factor. For example, how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you have a certain square footage in mind? Do you want a small yard or acreage? Think about how much space you need and what is right for your lifestyle. Are you planning a large family? Do you want to maintain a large home or piece of land?
Wish List & Deal Breakers
It’s a good idea to create a wish list and rank items from most to least important. You may have a certain style of home that your prefer. Many people want a home that is move-in ready. There may be amenities that are important to you. Some of the most common wish list items include updated kitchens and bathrooms, hardwood floors, open floor plans and big yards. Depending on this list, you might be able to find a home that satisfies all your wants and needs for the right price. But often, buyers need to make tradeoffs.
All homebuyers have certain things they just can’t live with — or without — in a home. Maybe it’s being located next to a busy road or having a driveway on a hill. Or perhaps you must have at least three bedrooms. Whatever your deal breakers might be, tell your agent up front. You’ll save everyone a lot of time and effort.
Here is an example of how the buying process works....
Call Your Agent
Get Pre-Approved
Get Pre-Approved
This is a great time to let your agent know that you are looking to purchase a new home. They can give you some tips and even begin the search for that new home.
Get Pre-Approved
Get Pre-Approved
Get Pre-Approved
Before you start looking at homes, get pre-approved with your lender. This pre-approval will not only help you make an offer on a home, it will tell you how much money the lender is willing to lend you, what your down payment will be, etc.
Search for Homes
Get Pre-Approved
Search for Homes
Once you have your Lender pre-approval, now is the time to start looking at homes. You should have a few neighborhoods that you prefer narrowed down. Your agent can now begin to schedule showings to view these homes.
Write an Offer
Get Pre-Approved
Search for Homes
Once you have found the home you would like to purchase, you will discuss with your agent the amount of money and terms you would like to offer. Your agent will even look at comparable sales to make sure you are offering a fair purchase price for the home.
Make Deals & Negotiate
Inspections & Appraisal
Inspections & Appraisal
The seller may accept your offer as written, or they may make a counter offer. Either way, your agent will be in constant contact with you to relay your wishes and facilitate making a deal with the seller.
Inspections & Appraisal
Inspections & Appraisal
Inspections & Appraisal
Once you have executed your offer and you are now "under contract", your agent will assist you in scheduling a home inspection. Your lender may also order an appraisal.
Clear To Close
Inspections & Appraisal
You Are A Homeowner
Once you hear those magical words, that means you have met your Lenders requirements, and you are ready to sign closing docs at the title company.
You Are A Homeowner
Inspections & Appraisal
You Are A Homeowner
Congratulations, you have just purchased your new home. You will now be given your keys and any other items that came with the purchase. Be sure to retain all documents and surveys.
Mortgage Calculator
Curious what your monthly payment will be? It's a great idea to know what you can afford now, before you start looking. Click on the button below to calculate your monthly mortgage payments.
Need a Lender? We can help with that too.
If you intend to use a home loan to purchase, you need the right Lender. We are happy to refer you to a trusted Lender that will get you started applying for loan.