Buying a home doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s my responsibility as your Realtor® to make it easy! So I’m keeping it short and sweet for you…
Step 1: Meet with a Lender
You may be thinking, “I don’t want to dig through my finances, run a credit check, and get pre-approved with a lender until I’m ready to make an offer.” Consider this, we are in a seller’s market and that means that there are more buyers looking for homes than there are homes available to purchase. As a buyer, you have to beat the competition to get your offer accepted.
As your Realtor®, I will help you submit a winning offer. This means that you need to be prepared to make an offer before other buyers beat you to it. Getting pre-approved can take a few days and you won’t want to waste that time once you’ve found the right house.
Don’t let this first step hold you back. I’m here to assist you in finding a helpful mortgage lender and completing the pre-approval process.
Step 2: Choose the Right Realtor®
I suggest your find a professional who feels more like a friend and less like your local car salesman. Being comfortable with your agent is an important part of a positive home buying experience. Consider these questions when meeting with an agent for the first time.
Do they return your phone calls or texts in a timely manner? Are they available on weekends, evenings, etc? Are they familiar with the area where you want to find a house?
You can find more tips on choosing the right Relator® by downloading the Home Buyer’s Guide below.
Step 3: Start House Hunting
The fun part! I truly enjoy searching for your dream home. Consider your wants and needs in a house and discuss them with your family. Do you need three or four bedrooms? One or two bathrooms? A pool? A garage?Talking this over beforehand will help you determine when you’re ready to make an offer on the right house.
Step 4: Make an Offer
Your Realtor® will prepare an offer and submit it on your behalf. This is an exciting step, but don’t get discouraged if your offer gets declined. In many cases, a buyer will have to submit offers on more than one house before receiving an acceptance. That’s simply the nature of our current real estate market.
Step 5: Close Escrow
Congratulations! If you’ve entered escrow, this means your offer was accepted by the seller. A typical escrow will take about 30 days and your Realtor® will ensure that you meet all necessary deadlines. An escrow period should allow time for inspections, negotiating repairs, finalizing paperwork, and recording a new deed.
To learn more about the escrow process, check out this guide made by yours truly.
As promised, you can use this brief five step guide to get you through the home buying process. However, if you’re the type who wants to know exactly what they’re diving into, take a look at my complete guide for residential home buyers.
Are you ready to take the next step now? Good for you! Let’s make your home buying dreams come true. Send me a message and I’ll help you get started.