Eight Steps to Buy A Home
When you are starting to consider the home buying process, there are lots of steps involved. I have created an outline of easy to understand steps and when you hire me as your Realtor and I will be there every step of the way to navigate the process.
Making the decision to buy.
- Base your decision to buy on facts, not fears.
- If you are paying rent in this area, you very likely can afford to buy
- There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. All you need to do in the short run is find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run
- The lack of a substantial down payment doesn’t prevent you from making your first home purchase
- A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily stop you from buying a home
- The best way to get closer to buying your ultimate dream home is to buy your first home now
- Buying a home doesn’t have to be complicated – hire me and I will help you along the way


Hire the right real estate agent.
- The seven roles of real estate agent when you buy a home:
- Educates you about the local market.
- Analyzes and prioritize a list of your top wants and needs.
- Guides you to homes that fit your particular criteria.
- Coordinates the work of other needed professionals.
- Negotiates on your behalf.
- Checks, double-checks paperwork and adheres to deadlines.
- Solves any problems that may arise.
Secure financing.
- Six steps to Financing a Home
- Choose a lender.
- Make a loan application and get pre-approved.
- Determine what you want to pay and select a loan option.
- Submit to the lender an accepted purchase offer contract.
- Get an appraisal and title commitment.
- Obtain funding at closing.


Find your home.
- What do I want my home to be close to?
- How much space do I need and why?
- Which is more critical: location or size?
- Would I be interested in a fixer-upper?
- Is there a specific neighborhood and school district?
- Would I be interested in a single family home, townhouse or condo?
- What features and amenities do I want? Which do I really need?
Make an offer.
When searching for your dream home, you were just that-a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies.
- Price – the offer price must fairly reflect the true market value of the home you want to buy. I will provide you with solid market research that will guide this decision.
- Terms – the other financial and timing factors that will be included in the offer. Terms fall under five basic categories in a real estate offer:
- Schedule-a schedule of events that has to happen before closing.
- Conveyances-the items that stay with the house when the sellers leave.
- Closing costs-it’s standard for buyers to pay their closing costs, but if you want to roll the costs into the loan, you need to write that into the contract.
- Home warranty-this covers repairs or replacement of appliances and major systems.
- Earnest money-this protects the sellers from the possibility of your unexpectedly pulling out of the deal and makes a statement about the seriousness of your offer.


Perform due diligence.
- Against loss or damage to the property itself
- Liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property
The property inspection should expose any issues a home might hide. That way you know exactly what you’re getting into before you sign your closing papers. Your major concern is structural damage. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked.
If you have a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. If the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, you might want to walk away from the purchase.
Close.
- Stay in control of your finances, check with your lender before making any big purchases like a car or furniture.
- Return all phone calls and paperwork promptly.
- Communicate with me at least once a week.
- Several days before closing, we will be in touch. At that time, we will confirm that all your documentation is in place and in order.
- Obtain certified funds for closing.
- Conduct a final walk-through.
- Home ownership
- Home Ownership Just Ahead
- Finalize your mortgage.
- Pay the seller.
- Pay your closing costs.
- Transfer the title from the seller to you.
- Make arrangements to legally record the transaction as a public record.


Protect your investment.
- Find contractors to help with home maintenance or remodeling.
- Help your friends find homes.
- Keep track of your home’s current market value.
Attention to you home’s maintenance needs is essential to protecting the long-term value of your investment. Keeping it clean: Perform routine maintenance on your home’s systems, depending on their age and style. Keeping an eye on it: Watch for signs of leaks, damage, and wear. Fixing small problems early can save you big money later.