Buying a home is stressful for a lot of people, but it's not all that hard with some up-front planning.
I like to give buyers a road map of the whole deal so they'll understand exactly what they can expect.
Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home.
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Should you have any questions about any of this information or if you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at vrichetti@msn.com.
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Step 1 – Get ready to buy
There are many things you should take into account before you search for a home.
When you begin your search, you'll probably want to form a checklist of must-have features, get a plan of what school districts you want to live in, and start planning around your budget.
A good guideline to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or close to a third of your net monthly income.
Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Garland
This is where Pro-Star Realty LLC comes in.
I'd be happy to schedule a time to meet with you and communicate with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans.
We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Garland area.
In addition, I'll help you start the loan process.
There are some very good mortgage professionals in Garland, and I partner with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands.
They'll help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.
Step 3 – Start your search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin searching for houses on the market that suit your needs.
I'll research many of the homes and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes when it's convenient for you.
As we view homes, I'll point out positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll even ask you about things you like and don't like.
For the most part, buyers revise their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some things become more crucial than others.
If such is the case, I'll look through all the listings one more time and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.
Step 4 – Get a feel for the market
My awareness of the Garland home market is a fundamental resource in your home search. I'm informed of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I'll alert you to some neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful examination.
As we view houses, I'll let you know if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask lots of questions, as every real estate agent in Garland will claim to understand the market.
If it seems like they don't know everything, call me at 972-271-1910 or e-mail me at vrichetti@msn.com, and I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. My market expertise will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.
Step 5 – Find your dream home
I know we'll find your dream home in the Garland area. When we do, I'll precisely create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind, including some contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, finishing the inspection, and a clean title.
When we send in your offer, you'll likely need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals don't close on the beginning offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to take the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.
Market conditions will play a large role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal.
We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that works well for you.
Step 7 – Secure a loan
Upon signing the contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan.
If you're already pre-approved, this shouldn't take very long at all, but you need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender.
And I'll sort out all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your loan application.
This estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.
Then it's time to close on your home. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and calm occasion.
Step 9 – Move in
You made it! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply call me at 972-271-1910 or send me an e-mail.