How to Buy a home Step By Step
For most people, purchasing real estate will be the biggest investment they will ever make. It is a decision that will have lifelong implications. These effects can be either positive or negative. This is why it is important to understand the key factors to consider before purchasing real estate. We have provided this 10-step guide to give you some insight about the home buying process.
Step#1 - Figure Out How Much You Can Afford
To find out how much you can afford, it is best to speak with a Mortgage Professional. I would advise that you go your primary bank first. Your primary bank is an institution you can trust and they should be able to answer all of your questions about financing. You can also talk to a Mortgage Broker. To find a good mortgage broker you should consult with you friends and/or family who currently own a home. After talking to a Mortgage Professional you will know weather or not you need a down payment, how much of a down payment you will need, your potential interest rate and all of the necessary criteria required to qualify for a loan. Once you choose your lender and provide them with the necessary documentation, you will be given a Pre-Approval Letter that states how much you can afford, your interest rate and the terms of the loan. Key Points: 1. Not all Lenders are created equal so it is a good idea to shop around. 2. Make sure you are given a Pre-Approval letter not a Pre-Qualification letter. 3. Beware of the bait and switch technique. This is when lenders get your attention by advertising an attractive interest rate only to increase it after you are locked in.
Step#2 - Choosing the Right Property For You
The decision of what type of real estate you purchase will consists primarily of , how much you can afford and your reasons for buying. After consulting with a lender, you will know what you can afford in terms of a Condo, Single Family Home, or a Multi-Family property. The questions you should ask yourself is "What are my goals for my real estate purchase?" This will help you better define what type of property suits your needs. The financial commitment is significant, and not every property fits the needs of its potential suitor, so it is important that you consider the goals for your real estate purchase, both short term and long term. For example if it is going to be your primary residence, you want to make sure it can comfortably accommodate your current and future family i.e. children or in-laws. If the market takes an unfavorable turn and it become difficult to sell then you can still live comfortably in your home until the market recovers. Key Points: Always consider the short term and Long term goals of your real estate purchase. It all stars with your reasons for purchasing real estate.
Step#3 - Finding a Home
Now that you understand the lending process and have narrowed down the type of property you are looking for, its time to start looking. So where do you start? I would recommend finding a local real estate professional. For help finding a realtor, log on to SharpBuyers.com. The best part about this is that it is free. You will have professional representation at no cost to you, and it will surely make the process a lot smoother. Buyers Agents are paid at closing by the seller. The total commission is split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent. If you choose a buyers agent through SharpBuyers.com, you can receive up to 50% of their commission at closing. It is truly the best of both worlds. Professional representation and money in your pocket. Key Points: It is best to hire a Buyer's Agent. It is free and it will save you time and money in the process. SharpBuyers.com will refer you to a local real estate agent that will provide professional assistance and a real estate rebate at closing!
Step#4 - Attorney or No Attorney?
As a real estate professional I would strongly advise all buyers to seek the advice of an attorney before entering into any negotiations. Real estate brokers and agents are professionals at finding an ideal home and negotiating the terms, but attorneys are experts at reviewing and explaining contracts. As a result, it is best to have an attorney review all contracts before entering into any agreements with the seller. The best way to find a good attorney is to ask your real estate agent. Real estate agents regularly work with a number of attorneys in many different capacities and know which attorneys will be best based on your specific needs. It is in the agent's best interest to recommend an attorney that they know is competent, trust worthy and focused on protecting their clients interest.
Step#5 - Your Offer, Negotiaton 101
Before placing an offer on a home you should know how much it is worth to ensure the listing price is in line with the actual value. Ask your agent to provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). A CMA compares homes based on size, location, condition and several other factors to estimate the value real estate in a given area. As a result you will see what similar homes have recently sold for. This will give you a better understanding of the market and help you to better gauge your offer. It is also important to understand that everything is negotiable. For example if you see any furniture, appliances, a chandelier or anything that you like, include it in the offer. This strategy can sometimes give buyers more leverage when negotiating. Even if the seller does not want to sell their personal property, it gives you the buyer an additional negotiating point. It also is important to include contingencies in the offer as well. The most common types of contingencies are a mortgage contingency and an inspection contingency.
Step#6 - Home Inspection
A home inspection is an essential part of the home buying process. Every buyer has a right to have a home inspection and I highly advise buyers to take advantage of that right, even if it is new construction. It is best to ask your agent to provide you with a recommendation for an inspector. They work with multiple inspectors and will likely refer you to an inspector that is right for your needs. Purchasing real estate is the most significant investment many people will make during the course of their lives. A home inspection will validate that you are investing in a good home or uncover significant defects that you would otherwise not have known about until moving into the home. It is far more valuable to know what you are buying before you buy, then to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a property that is not worth it. So what happens when defects are discovered by the inspector? In most instances the buyer and seller come to a mutual agreement on how to deal with the issues. Sometimes the seller may agree to take care of the issues. In other instances the buyer may assume the responsibility for a discount in the price. It really just depends on the specifics of the defects. As a buyer, it is best to know as much about your home before you purchase it as possible.
Step#7 - Mortgage Application
Once of all the terms are finalized following the home inspection, it is now time to complete your mortgage application. The first step would be to inform your lender or bank that you have signed a P&S (Purchase and Sale Agreement). They will ask for a signed copy of the P&S along with other financial documents needed to complete your loan application. It is important to get this application in as soon as possible so the bank has as ample time to process your application. In accordance with the P&S, the bank must provide the buyer with a commitment letter or a declination letter by a specific date. The commitment letter states that the bank is going to give you the loan. The declination letter states that you have been declined for the loan and cannot purchase the property. If the lender does not supply this, they buyer runs the risk of forfeiting their deposit if they are not approved or declined for the loan within the given time. If you need more clarification on this, ask your real estate agent. Key Points: Make sure the your lender supplies you with a commitment or declination letter before the commitment date. If not you could end up losing thousands of dollars.
Step#8 Insurance Binder
After the bank provides a commitment letter, the only additional requirement is the insurance binder. Before the bank can complete the loan the buyer must purchase home owners insurance. It is best to get three quotes when shopping around for home owners insurance. The first quote should come from the provider of your car insurance. In many instances the insurance company will give you a discount for insuring your home and automobile with the same provider. You should also gets recommendation from friends & family and your Realtor. These are all sources that you can trust and it will insure you get the best. The insurance binder is then sent to the lender prior to closing. Now the funds are all set to be released on the specified closing date.
Step#9 - Reviewing The Settlement Statement
1-2 Days before you close, the closing attorney, who represents the bank lending you the funds, will provide you and the seller with a settlement statement (also called a HUD) for your review. It is important that you, your attorney and your Realtor review the charges, fees and adjustments to ensure everything is correct. The HUD will have all of the information such as the closing costs, tax adjustments, utility adjustments your real estate rebate and several other fees. It will also state the amount you need to bring to closing. Any funds brought to the closing should be done in the form of a certified or bank check. Note: The seller will have to make sure the home meets the local fire code and provide final utility bills prior closing.
Step#10 - Closing
So what do you need to bring to the closing? you will need at least 2 forms of identification, a certified or bank check for any additional funds and a good pen for all of the documents that you will be signing. The closing is typically attended by the buyer(s), seller(s), closing attorney, your attorney and the Realtors involved in the transaction. Your attorney will explain all of the documents to you prior to signing any of the disclosures at the closing. Once you are finished signing, you will receive your keys. Now its time to figure out how your going to spend your real estate rebate provided by SharpBuyers.com! Congratulations!
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