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Step 1: Determine how to pay for your new home and how much you can afford. If you plan to finance a new purchase, you will need to speak with a lender and get prequalified. This helps you determine your maximum purchase price and puts you in a great position to make an offer on a home.
Step 2: Meet with your Realtor to discuss your home needs and desires. Your Realtor will help you to focus on the necessities you require, such as location, number of bedrooms, and floor plan style. Your Realtor has access to the entire Multiple Listing Service and works with all Licensed Realtors in order to give you the best service.
Step 3: View Property. Your Realtor will develop a list of homes that meet your needs. At this time you’ll travel to each home to see if it’s the right fit.
Step 4: Make an offer. Once you’ve found the perfect home it’s time to make an offer. Your Realtor will guide you through the offer process and will negotiate on your behalf until a bilateral purchase contract is signed between you and the Seller.
Step 5: Inspections. Your purchase contract will have a determined amount of time for you to complete a full home inspection on the property. Your Realtor will assist you in getting this scheduled and making the home available to the inspector. Upon completion your Realtor will discuss the results and make recommendations as to how you could move forward.
Step 6: Secure a loan. Throughout the closing transaction you will work closely with your lender to secure financing for your new home. They will request many documents from you and it is very important that you work quickly to accommodate the lender in their requests. Time is of the essence to complete the financing task per the purchase contract.
Step 7: Find Homeowner’s Insurance. This must be secured prior to your loan being approved. Additionally, if you are paying cash for a property it is not required to have insurance, however, it is strongly recommended. Your Realtor can suggest a few local companies to contact for quotes if needed.
Step 8: Closing Day. This is the day you’ve been waiting for! You will do a final walk through of the property to ensure the home is in the agreed to transferable condition. Then all parties will gather at the selected title company or attorney’s office to sign the papers and close escrow. If you won’t be able to attend the closing, the closing documents can be mailed to you for signature.
