Buying a Home: Simplified

Buying a home can be a daunting task, but with the right Realtor, it doesn't have to be. Here are 5 steps that simplify home buying process, so you can have an idea of what to expect when purchasing a home. 

Get Pre-Qualified 

A lot of Realtors today are requiring their Buyer's to be pre-qualified before they even get into the car. While this may seem unnecessary at the very beginning, it can definitely prove to be useful. By getting pre-qualified, you can know just how much home you can afford, and what you can look at. This not only helps your Realtor in their search for your next home, but it can also save you from the heartache of falling in love with a home you can't actually afford. 

Start Your Search

Look on the internet for homes that you could see yourself and your family living in. While not every home will be perfect for you, you should be able to come pretty close. An experienced Realtor will listen to you and help you weed through the many homes you find to help you pick the ones that meet the majority of your needs.  This will save you time, energy, and ultimately help you find your dream home much faster. 

Make an Offer 

Found the home of your dreams? Then you're probably ready to take the next step and submit an offer. That experienced agent of yours is going to be able to find out exactly what the home is worth and help you put together a reasonable offer for the property. If your offer gets rejected, don't get down. Just get with your Realtor, regroup on your offer, and try again. Most of the time, there is common ground to be found when making an offer, and there are almost always negotiations to be made. 

Inspections & Repairs

Once you have an executed contract, which means you’ve come to an agreement with the Seller and the contract is signed, you will enter the Inspections & Repairs phase. This is where you will hire an inspector to look at the home and confirm that it isn't falling apart. Remember, that it's typical for an inspector to find a few minor items here and there that the Seller will need to address. However, a few major things you'll want to look out for are foundation issues, signs of water damage, and any electrical repairs, all of which can be expensive to repair and even a potential fire hazard.

Closing & Move-In

Once inspections are done, the repairs are complete, and you are fully approved through your lender, you will attend closing. Reaching the closing table is pretty much the end of the road when buying a home. It’s safe to assume that it’s smooth sailing from there. I won't say it doesn't happen, but it's rather rare that something goes wrong at this point. As long as you listened to your lender and didn't go out and buy a new car for example, you will be fine. 

Now that you have a better idea of the home buying process, it shouldn’t be as scary. The Leslie Sullivan Team is made up of not just 1, but 3 licensed real estate agents that are ready and willing to take care of you. Give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals.