Choosing to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. It’s a complex process that requires quite a bit of planning! Engaging the help of a knowledgeable REALTOR® will make the process run much more smoothly. To prepare you for this, here is a general overview of what to expect and prepare.
Get Your Finances In Order
The first thing you’ll need to do is put money aside for a down payment. The down payment of the home you’re planning to buy can start from 0% down for VA buyers to 3% for FHA and Conventional. Second, you’ll need to meet with a mortgage broker to determine what you can afford. Shopping around for the best rate is highly recommended.
Visualize Your Dream Home
Once you’ve established a price range, it’s time to decide what type of home will best suit your lifestyle. Think about things like access to schools, recreational facilities, what the neighborhood is like, and so on. Why you’re choosing to buy should help answer these questions for you — so think about it carefully. You may want to put this down in writing and create a needs vs wants list.
Meet With Our Team
It’s important to partner with a REALTOR® you feel completely comfortable. We can help you find the dream home that meets both your needs and your budget. We will set you up with viewing appointments, and also help bring clarity to the complicated process of buying a home. You’ll want to go with an experienced and knowledgeable real estate team who you can be sure will represent your best interests.
The Home Search
Using the property search on this site and consulting with us, you will be able to find homes in your desired area. We’ll update you frequently regarding new listings and schedule your appointments with sellers.
Closing on Your Home
We can help you place an offer that the seller will either accept, counter, or reject. After you’ve negotiated an offer, you’ll need to conduct a home inspection and deal with any repairs (the cost of which you can also negotiate with the seller). Finalize your mortgage with a visit to your lender, and you’re ready to sign off on ownership. This typically takes place at a title company such as Burnet Title.
At this point, congratulations are in order! Becoming a new homeowner is one of the most liberating things you’ll ever experience. There are many benefits to home ownership — pride of ownership, the ability to make home improvements, building equity, appreciation — the list goes on and we would be honored to guide you through this important journey.