Every year, there are thousands of people who have #homeownership as a goal on their vision board. This was the case with my fabulous client below. Many congratulations to her on buying her first home! I commend her for her preparation and planning, which took a couple of years. Once she set the goal, she worked diligently to get things in order to be approved for a mortgage.
[Natasha is an awesome realtor! She helped me through every stage of the home buying process and was so patient and accommodating. I recently closed on my first home and I cant image getting through everything without her. I will definitely recommend her to all my friends, family and clients. – K.K]
Some things buyers have to work on in order to buy a home include saving money, improving credit, getting documentation in order to (especially if you are an entrepreneur). Whether you have just started working toward your goal of homeownership or you are getting ready to be approved, here is an overview of the homebuying process and what you can expect.
1) Get Pre-Approved: You will need pay stubs, W2s, and bank statements. Knowing what you can afford is critical to a successful home shopping experience
2) Meet with a real estate professional: Discuss the type of home you’re looking for, including style, price, and location.
*As the home buyer, your agent’s commission is paid by the seller of the home in almost all circumstances. This means your representation costs you nothing!
*Your agent will also discuss representation / brokerage with you. In short, this is what hires the agent to work for you on your behalf. Compare it to someone being contracted to do work for a company. There needs to be an agreement in place before work is preformed.
FYI – Steps 1 and 2 are interchangeable. If you meet with a real estate professional first, they will advise you to get pre-approved BEFORE you start physically looking at properties. Why? Watch this short video.
3) Search for Homes: The fun part! Your agent will schedule showings and help you find the perfect home.
*Not all real estate websites are the same. Your real estate professional has tools and systems to insure you see every available home that meets your criteria.
4) Make an Offer: Your agent will prepare your offer based on the price and terms you choose.
5) Negotiation and Contract: It may take a few tries to get it just right, but hang in there. You’re on your way!
6) The Contract: In most cases the contract provides you with a timeline to obtain financing as well as time to inspect the physical condition of the home. Your real estate professional will inform you of all your rights and responsibilities related to the contract.
7) Under Contract or Binding: You and the seller have agreed to the price and terms. The home is effectively held for you until closing.
8) Final Details: Perform due diligence, order the appraisal, conduct an inspection, and review terms with the lender.
9) Preparing for Closing: You will be finalizing your loan, reviewing documents, and discussing the findings from the inspection. Your agent will manage this entire process for you.
10) Closing: This is the transfer of funds and ownership. A title company or an attorney typically acts as an independent third-party to facilitate the closing.
By outlining these 10 steps, it may make the process look simple. Buying a home will actually the biggest purchase most people make in their lives. It is an intricate process and during all steps, there are several moving parts happening at once. This is why you should have a real estate professional representing you. As stated in #2, the fee for this service normally costs you no money (nada!). Your agent’s commission is normally paid by the seller. There are a few exceptions in which your agent should explain to you.
I discuss these and other pertinent items in the Home Buying Consultation I have with buyers I work with. An initial meeting or consultation is imperative to a successful transaction. When two people like each other, they don’t just run to the altar! They talk and date first. They make sure they are compatible and on the same page. While the buying-agent relationship doesn’t take that long to establish, an initial meeting (1st date) is needed before getting married (looking at properties).
*If someone is hesitant of meeting with me for their Home Buying Consultation and just wants me to show them property, this is a RED FLAG! Aside from a safety issue, in my experience, these people are either “looky loos” (not serious about buying a house or just want to see houses) or they just “date” any real estate agent that will show them a house (non-commitment type). A true real estate professional / REALTOR® will not entertain these types of “buyers”.
If you are serious about becoming a Homeowner, contact me to schedule your consultation today (404) 857-2508 or info@soldbynat[dot]com.
I can accommodate these meetings in office, or by phone or via Skype for those who are not local.
Also, if you have any questions about any of the steps mentioned above or just need guidance getting started, don’t hesitate to contact me!
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