Step 1: Asking the hard questions
When buying a home you want to be sure you aren’t making any hasty decisions or just doing it because it's the norm and what your friends are doing. It is about you and only you wanting to be a
homeowner. After asking yourself the questions above, I am going to assume you said yes to each. Now this is where the fun begins.
Step 2: Consider your personal finances
Creating a price zone for yourself all depends on knowing what you can afford. Make sure to keep track of your credit score, the better the score the easier it will be to get approved for a loan.
Determine how much you have saved for a downpayment and how much you still need to save. A downpayment is specific to each home and area of choice. Newer developments in up and coming cities are
likely to require a smaller down payment because they are looking for young people to move in. So do some research in the area of which you are looking to purchase your future home.
Step 3: Research the local market
Long before you actually put an offer on a home, you should be monitoring the condition of the market in the area where you are intending to purchase property. Pay close attention to the homes in
your price range by looking at the amount of time they are actually staying on the market, as well as if there are any big shifts in the asking price. Partnering with a local realtor can help you
understand the key data points.
Step 4: Pre-approval process
Getting pre-approved for a big purchase like this is necessary. You might be able to guess what your house budget is based on your finances and credit score, but speaking with a lender will
help you determine a specific number. In order to get pre-approved for a mortgage (AKA Loan), you will have to provide your lender with some financial information, including your debts and assets.
Step 5: Set your priorities
You might be looking for a lot of different things in your first home. But understanding which is most important to you will make the decision much easier for you. Be realistic with yourself
and your budget as well as what you are willing to handle. Maybe you are wanting a home with multiple acres yet you may be unaware of how much time and maintenance it really takes to upkeep the
property of that size. A property of greater size could lead to additional expenses like hiring a gardener or taking personal time from your other activities and busy life. Maybe you want to
live in a smaller clean neighborhood. Researching the neighborhood and HOA is also important. My current HOA doesn't let you park cars on the street past a certain time and even tickets you if
your grass is brown. As a young adult these are things you will want to take into consideration when finding your perfect home.
Step 6: Finding an agent leads to finding a house
With your list of priorities and your pre-approval information in hand, speak to a real estate agent who can help you find a home. An agent's job is to help you and is able to facilitate
negotiations between buyers and sellers. They also have the ability to show you properties that fit your budget and meet your needs.
Step 7: Make an offer
With the help of your real estate agent, you will be able to determine a fair price to offer the owners of a home in which you are interested. As a buyer, try to avoid making a low-ball offer.
You obviously want to get the most bank for your buck but more than often, owners who receive an offer that is obviously too low simply refuse it upfront and don’t engage in any further negotiations.
Even if you disagree you should always defer to the opinion of your agent, as he or she is very educated on the housing market and the rules that apply to home offers.
Step 8: Handle inspections and secure a loan
Inspections are paid by the buyer. It's important to understand what you're taking on when buying a home, especially if it's an older build. Inspections will let you know if there is any damage
or warning signs about the home as well as if the homeowners were being honest about the condition of the home. Don't be cheap! You want to be sure you are spending the money on the top inspection
for your home. You do not want to be caught with a broken HVAC and busted pipes after a few months of living in your home especially when your budget might already be slim. After the inspection and
the appraisal of the property, you can secure your loan with a bank or lender of your choice.
Step 9: Sealing the deal
Closing on a home is a very lengthy process and a time commitment. You will work with your lender and your real estate agent to ensure that all of the relevant paperwork for your purchase is in
order. You will be able to move into your brand new home as soon as all of the paperwork has been completed and the seller of the house has been paid.
This is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life as well as one of the most fulfilling. Happy house hunting!