What are the steps in buying your first home? The homebuying process is a bit different for every sale, but still includes a few major steps. Knowing how to prepare for these steps will help you not only in buying a house, but in being a successful homeowner for years to come.
Here are some of the major steps to consider:
You might know that buying houses is a complicated process. While most homebuyers opt for taking the journey on their own, having a trusted real estate agent makes things much more simple.
Real estate agents can help guide you through the entire homebuying journey, ensuring you find the best house, answer questions that are important to you, provide valuable advice and negotiate with sellers.
Once you have determined the amount to spend for your down payment, you will determine how to save for it. A small down payment will require less cash upfront and will require mortgage insurance, which adds to your long-term costs.
If it is your first home, consider checking out first time homebuyer programs. There are many forms of financial aid, such as down payment assistance and help to lower your monthly mortgage payments.
Your choice of mortgage matters, both in scoring the home of your dreams and in affording it long-term. Before determining what type of mortgage to apply for, it's vital to understand their advantages and disadvantages.
The most common mortgage categories are traditional loans and FHA loans. Traditional loans are mortgages you get from a bank or other lender, while a FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Each has their own requirements for eligibility and approval to consider.
Once you've made your financial plans, it's time to find your dream home. Work with your real estate agent on your house hunting, as they can help you find the features, size, location and purchase price you're seeking.
Once you find a home and make an offer, next comes negotiation, home inspection, home appraisal and eventually paying your closing costs. Closing on a home is another aspect of homebuying that a real estate agent can streamline with confidence.
Whether it's finding the right home loan or figuring out homeowners insurance, there are many steps in the homebuying process. While it can be a complex real estate transaction, following these basics - and working with a qualified real estate professional - will make your journey quicker and smoother.
JoAnn Drabble prides herself in making a "personal investment in each client”. With over ten years of experience working as a paralegal for various law firms, JoAnn brings significant legal expertise to her work. She understands the ins and outs of the real estate business and follows through on her sales from start to finish. She is often praised for her attention to detail in all aspects of a sale.
Working as a full-time professional in the real estate industry for 26 years, JoAnn has continuously been a top sales producer. She attributes her successful sales’ results to the personal relationships that she forges with her clients. Her years of experience combined with her outgoing personality and compassionate nature enable her to understand both the stated and unspoken needs of clients who are buying and selling their homes. JoAnn stays current with changing market conditions and trends in order to provide exceptional service and ensure a timely sale.
Her perseverance and real estate market savvy help her achieve 100% client satisfaction. The relationships that JoAnn forms with clients often last long after the purchase or sale of a home. Her clients’ satisfaction is her top priority and drives her to consistently exceed her performance goals and expand her growing referral base.
