After years of school, college, renting, and working we all reach a point where we feel the need to find the perfect home. Finally being able to purchase a home is a turning point and an accomplishment. With that being said, many can find the process overwhelming when asking themselves-where do I start? However, don’t let this question take over! With some research that big question will soon turn into a very small one.
One of the most important steps to the buying process is knowing your finances. For instance, your credit rating. Having a good credit score can help you achieve a desirable loan rate. Also, having an idea of what your credit rating is ahead of time can give you time to reach a better rating. Moreover, make it a point to have savings for other expenses that might pop up such as, home repairs and renovations. Another good tip is to seek out advice from a financial professional, who can help you decide how high of a mortgage you can afford and how much debt should be paid off before buying.
After getting a handle on your finances, it is time to look at your absolute priorities when it comes to home features. Especially if you’re looking for a home on a budget it can be hard to find all of the bells and whistles. Make a list to find out what you need in a home versus what you want. This might include needing 3 bedrooms, a location close to work, or having a large backyard. Whatever the case may be, it is always essential to find your needs then later add your wants.
The next step in the process is finding a real estate agent to begin the hunt! While not everyone goes in the direction of finding a real estate agent, it can make the process much simpler if you do. This will give you the resources to find a home that isn’t listed on major real estate websites such as Zillow. Once you’ve found a real estate agent that understands your dream home, budget, and needs you can start touring homes and book viewing appointments. Sooner or later you are destined to find the home you’ve been searching for!
Once you’ve found the one to call home, it is time for the finishing steps. When making an offer a trick to throw out a reasonable price is to research how much homes are selling for in the area, and to keep in mind how long the house has been on the market. Once your offer is accepted, be sure to review your contract and inspect the home. Inspecting the home is a crucial step to ensuring the home does not have any health hazards, an extreme need of repairs, and so on. At this point, if you’re not happy with the inspection you are free to walk away. Hopefully, if the inspection goes well it is time to sign the papers and voilà you’re a homeowner!
If you have questions about buying a home in the Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, or Sarasota area, feel free to contact me here, I'd be happy to help!