Buying a home is something that requires a lot of time, effort and is simplified when a plan is in place to help manage the process. Below you will find steps that will make your home buying process easier to handle.
Begin Researching Early On: It is never too early to start looking into what is available within the real estate industry. When you find a home that interests you take notes on how long the home stays on the market, how many times the asking price changes. This information will give you an idea on what trends are currently happening within the local housing industry.
Establish What You Can Afford To Spend: Most mortgage brokers recommend that homeowners look for homes that are no more than three to five times what their annual household income is. A down payment of twenty percent os recommended as is decreasing the amount of debt you are carrying. These determinations should be based on your personal financial status and what you feel comfortable with. It is not as important to focus on the three time your annual income and twenty percent down payment rules but more your personal comfort.
Obtain Prequalification On A Mortgage: Meet with a mortgage broker to determine exactly how much you can qualify for. As a preapproved or prequalified buyer, sellers are more likely to consider your offer. The mortgage officer will obtain a credit report, information on your income and debt ratio and other crucial financial information.
Locate A Local Real Estate Agent: Partnering with the right real estate agent whether looking to buy or sell a home is crucial. Local realtors are the best source of information on the area and can be extremely valuable in helping you find the home of your dreams.
Shop For And Make An Offer On A Home: Your real estate agent will get a list of homes available that meet your wants and needs while being within your budget and locations of interest. When look at a lot of houses all within a short period of time you can become quiet overwhelmed. Be sure to take pictures and videos as you go; make notes on as you go as it will help you remember each home and what features you like and don’t like about certain homes.
Home Inspections Are Important: Any home that you are serious in should be inspected by a professional home inspector. Before you spend money on hiring an inspector there are a few items that can you can inspect on your own:
- Turn all of the plumbing on throughout the home to test for water pressure. Identify how long it takes for the water to get warm and how long the hot water lasts.
- Test the electrical systems on within the home. Turn the lights on and off in each room while also testing ceiling fans and more.
- The windows need to be tested as well. Open and close them to see if they work properly while checking out the seal and caulking around the windows.
Evaluate the Neighborhood:
- How are other homes within the neighborhood maintained? Are they well landscaped; does it look like people take care of the exteriors of their home?
- Is there a lot of traffic on the streets outside of and around the home?
- What is the parking like around the home?
- Is the home located near places of interest to you? Are you able to get to and from places you need and want to go without trouble.
Work With A Mortgage Loan Officer To Get The Right Mortgage: Mortgage lenders have a wide variety of loan options that they can offer to perspective home buyers. Depending on the type of home, your military background, home buying status, your credit rating and more will influence the type of mortgages that you qualify for.
Coordinate Paperwork and Closing: Last but not least get ready to close on your home loan and move into the home of your dreams.
The home buying process is something that can be managed with the right people and steps in place. Be sure to surround yourself with people that have the same goals and objectives in your home buying process in order to ensure successful transactions throughout the process.