We’re not going to lie; buying a home is not always a walk on the beach. However, when you work with a professional agent and team, the processes can easily be managed step by step. This week, our team at I Love OC Homes is breaking down the home-buying process.
Step One
Start your research early by reading websites, newspapers, and magazines that have current listings. Make notes of homes that interest you and see how long they stay on the market. Then you want to decide how much house you can afford and make this determination based on your financial situation. This is also a great time to look at your future commute to work, the schools in the area, and the community.
Step Two
Find the right real estate agent to provide you with helpful information on homes and neighborhoods that isn’t easily accessible to the public. Their knowledge of the home buying process, negotiating skills, and familiarity with the area you want to live in can be extremely valuable.
Step Three
Before you start looking for a home, you will need to know how much you can actually spend. Get prequalified and preapproved for credit through your Mortgage Lender.
Step Four
Shop for your home in your price range and desired neighborhoods. Next, work with your real estate agent to negotiate a fair offer. Once you and the seller have reached agreement on a price, the house will go into escrow.
Step Five
Your real estate agent usually will help you arrange to have a home inspection conducted within a few days of your offer being accepted by the seller. This is solely for the buyer’s protection. Your lender will also order an appraisal to make sure the home comes to market value.
Step Six
There is a lot of paperwork involved in buying a house. Your lender will arrange for an escrow company to handle all this coordination. At closing, you will sign all of the paperwork required, including your loan documents. It typically takes a couple of days for your loan to be funded after the paperwork is returned to the lender. Once the check is delivered to the seller, you are ready to move into your new home!
Give me (Tim De Shazer) a call at 562-881-8252 if you have any questions. We will help you every step of the way.