THE BUYING PROCESS
7 Steps to buying Your New Home
Beginning the home buying process can be overwhelming at times. Whether you’ve bought before or you’re a first time home buyer, there are key steps you can take with your trusted realtor to ensure the experience goes smoothly. Below are the steps I will guide you through as your buyer’s agent. If you have questions or want to discuss the journey in more detail, contact me for a no pressure call or in person session.
1. Let’s meet and create a wishlist
Once you’re ready to take the first step to your new home, we will meet for an informative buyer consultation so we can better get to know each other. It’s here that I answer your questions about the process, understand your needs/wants list, and show you how I work.
2. Pre-qualification
It’s time to determine your buying power! I have mortgage partners I can introduce you to and from there they will work with you to find the best financing options. Be prepared to present W2’s, tax returns and pay stubs. The lender will then assess and present options that work best for you.
3. It’s time to shop!
Looking at homes is the fun part! I will set you up on a listing alert based on the criteria we’ve discussed. Once you identify properties you’d like to see, we will arrange times to view the properties or attend open houses.
4. Found a the one?
You found “the one” and now we will present a written offer to the seller. This could result in an accepted offer, negotiations, or a rejection. It’s important to understand that although we try our best to get your offer accepted, there are times where it may just not be what the seller is looking for. However, we work through these times together!
5. Offer accepted and open escroW
Once your offer is accepted, we open escrow!
Escrow is a third party who helps facilitate the transaction and makes sure it goes smoothly. During this initial time I will make sure you are kept up on next steps, a timeline of the escrow, and what to expect for the next 30 days or so.
6. Inspections, appraisal and loan
The inspection will show that the home is functioning properly and determine if there are any major issues. The appraisal is a valuation of the property by a third party (usually needed by the bank) to determine market value. During this time you and your lender will also be working to get your loan funded.
7. Close and celebrate!
All of the above has gone smoothly and you have closed on your new home! It’s time to get your keys and after that... we celebrate of course!
WANT A MORE DETAILED GUIDE TO BUYING YOUR NEXT HOME?
The high level steps outlined above will help you get a broad overview of the home buying process and how I personally help my clients navigate the journey. If you would like a more detailed guide of how to prepare, begin, and successfully purchase a home in the unique Seattle real estate market, simply fill out the form below and I will send one directly to your inbox.
