So, you’ve decided it’s time to buy a home. What’s next? What goes into buying a house? You have questions; I’ve got your answers. I’m going to walk you through my five-step process of buying a home. Let’s jump in!
Step One: Initial Chat
Let's chat! Before we jump into a car and go see houses, I like to talk with you to go over the process of buying a home. It may appear simple on the outside, but once you get into the process, you will quickly see that there are many important steps that you do not want to miss.
At our first conversation about buying a home, I will walk you through the home-buying process and discuss any questions you have along the way. At the end of the conversation, I will give you some homework, such as talking with a lender about getting something called a pre-approval letter.
Step Two: Planning Meeting
At this meeting or conversation, we will go over what loan amount you’re approved for from your lender, in addition to discussing the goals you have in a future home. Afterwards, we will create a showing plan and talk about the forms involved in writing an offer when you end up finding a home you like.
Step Three: Finding a Home and Making an Offer
Now, it's time to see the homes! This is the fun part, in my opinion. 🙂 By this point, I have set you up on a saved search in the MLS so that you can virtually favorite properties. As we get to see houses, we will eventually find one that you love! To help not get confused between houses, I like to provide you a Property Checklist so that you can keep track of what you like and don't like about each home.
Then, we write an offer! If the seller accepts the offer as is, you are then under contract. If the seller counters, we will negotiate until we reach an agreement. If the seller accepts a different offer, we can continue the process of finding a different home.
Step Four: From Contract to Close
Next, there are many things that need to happen after the contract is “executed.” If you have elected to have an option period, I will help coordinate various inspections and deposits of earnest and option monies. If you would like to request repairs after the inspection, we will negotiate any repairs requests with the listing agent.
From this point, though, my buyers find the “Contract-to-Close Guide” helpful in keeping track of what’s next.
Step Five: Close on Your Home
Okay, I know I said seeing homes was the fun part, but really, closing is the ACTUAL fun part. 🙂 The closing will take place at the title company, and you, the escrow officer, sometimes the lender, and I will attend. Before you close, we will do a final walk-through of the home. I like to provide my buyers a Move-In Guide so that they don’t miss any steps leading up to moving in.
Well, that just about summarizes the process. And if you’re wondering about things like, “what is earnest money?” and “how long is the option period?” and “I’m still confused!”, well, that’s why I’m here. 🙂 Real estate is no one-size-fits-all business. Each transaction is different. So, although this a general overview, your experience will ultimately be personalized to you. And I’m here to help explain and coordinate every step of the way.
What do you think? Are you ready to start step one by having our initial chat? Fill out my contact form, and I’ll reply within 24 hours.
P.S. All of this (and wayyyy more) is covered in my Buyer’s Guide, which I provide as a courtesy to all of my buyer clients. That way, you can always reference it along the way.
