With a little planning ahead of time, purchasing a home isn't that complex, but the event can be stressful for a lot of people. I like to give buyers an overview of the whole deal so they'll understand exactly what they can expect. These are my nine steps to buying a home.
Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are several things you'll want to consider before commencing your home search. You'll probably want to make an index of items you need, get a plan of what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good guideline to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be no more than a third of your monthly income.
Step 2 – Contact your real estate agent
This is where The Safari Group LLC can help. We can schedule a time to meet so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that might affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Charlotte and Upper SC area.
I'll also help you get started on your loan. The Safari Group LLC partners with some of the local area's finest mortgage professionals, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified. And if you'll need to groom your credit to make a purchase, they'll tell you what to do and what not to do when preparing and applying for a mortgage.
Step 3 – Begin house hunting
After our initial meeting, I'll start finding available houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll research many of the homes and reject the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses at a time that's convenient for you.
When we view the houses, I'll show you the positive features and bad ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to amend their must-have list as we tour homes and some items become far more crucial than others. If that's the case, I'll search all the listings once again and trim it down to the home of your dreams.
Step 4 – Get a feel for the market
An agent's understanding of the Charlotte area home market is a crucial component in your home search. And I can assure you I'm familiar with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to certain districts are "hot" and require immediate action and others that are "cool" and allow for more consideration.
When we view homes, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Any real estate agent in the area will claim to comprehend the housing market, but take note, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. If it appears they don't know everything, call me at 704.562.1030 or e-mail me at MyAgentChrystal@gmail.com, and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. My market expertise will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.
Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I know we'll find the house of your dreams in Charlotte or it's beautiful and convenient surrounding areas, and when that happens, I'll meticulously create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind. Whenever necessary, I never forget to make contracts contingent upon items like acquiring financing, your approval of the HOA Covenants and Restrictions, and the results of the home inspection.
When sending in your offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a check deposited once we're under contract to secure an offer to purchase the property. The amount is usually put towards the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Most offers aren't accepted as initially written, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.
How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market circumstances. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll compose a contract that works well for you.
My personal best was to come in 8th on a foreclosure bid. We got the house, and it wasn't because the buyer had offered more money! The agent complimented me on my complete package, asked permission to use my secret weapon, and we closed in 30 days. A REAL offer includes either a pre-approval letter, establishing your earnestness in obtaining financing, or a proof of financing letter for cash transactions. We'd made a REAL offer.
Step 7 – Secure your loan
Upon signing the deal, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't take long at all. However, you need to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will give you a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) outlining your closing costs within three days of getting your application. You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your loan application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.
Then we'll close on your home. This will most often happen at a title company or attorney's office and will likely be a smooth and stress-free occurrence.
Step 9 – Move in
You made it! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just call me at 704.562.1030 or send me an e-mail.