Find Your Dream Home
The Home Buying Process
Research and Prepair
When looking for a new home. Start making a wish list for your new home. Create a realistic budget, allowing the purchase of a home and ability to meet other financial responsibilities and goals. Lastly spend some time in the areas you would like to live, take notes about the Pros and Cons of the different neighborhoods.
Meet with Lenders
It’s good practice to meet with several reputable lenders in your area. Starting with the banking institution you use for your personal banking needs. Being a current customer with an account history can be quite beneficial in getting the preapproval process started.
Contact a Realtor
Real estate agents are important partners when you’re buying or selling a home. They can provide information on homes and neighborhoods that isn’t easily accessible to the public. Their knowledge of the home buying process, negotiating skills, and familiarity with the area you want to live in can be extremely valuable.
Start Your Search
First create a list of needs and wants. Needs are the must haves in your new home. A specific school district, number of rooms, handicap accessibility or a home with no HOA. Wants are things you would like but are not a necessity.
Next, identify specific neighborhoods or areas of the city or town you plan to purchase in and a purchase price range. Communicate you search criteria to your Realtor and allow them to search for your new Home.
Start touring homes in your price range. It’s helpful to take notes on all the homes you visit. (Showing Notes) You will see a lot of houses! It can be hard to remember everything about them, so you might want to take pictures or video to help you remember each home.
Offers and Negotiating
Make a Reasonable offer based on the current market conditions and for an amount you are comfortable paying for the property. The Seller will either accept, reject, or counter your offer. This process can go back and forth several time before both parties can agree on the terms of the purchase contract.
Appraisal and Inspections
Your lender will arrange an appraisal to provide an independent estimate of the property’s value. Generally, a purchase offer is contingent on an acceptable inspection report. Your Real Estate Agent will help you schedule your inspections
Tittle Work
The Tittle Company plays a significant role in the closing process: Researching the legitimacy of the deed, acts as an Escrow Agent, Issues Tittle Insurance for the Buyer and Lender, Orders Surveys, Completes a Tittle Search and Acts as a Closing Agent.
During closing, both buyer and seller sign all required documents to complete the sale of the property. At the end of the signing and once your lender wires the funding, you will receive the keys and the home will officially be yours.