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The home buying process
A Quick Step-by-step Guide
When buying a new home, the first thing you want to try and decide is how much you are willing and able to spend on that new home. Many times this depends on the sales price of your old home, but even so, the first call you should make is to a mortgage specialist. Someone who can tell you exactly how much you are able to borrow when purchasing your new home.
Step 1:
The Meeting
First we will meet with you to discuss the areas you may want to live and your budget. We will also try to get as specific as possible and can ask you questions like:
Do you want a basement?
How much sq footage are you looking for?
Do you prefer older homes or newer homes?
Is backyard size important?
Are you looking for brick, wood, or vinyl on the exterior on your new home?
How do you feel about building a brand new home?
As you can see there are a lot of things to think about when searching for a new home. Don't get too concerned if you don't have all the answers just yet or don't know them, we can figure them out together.
Step 2:
Let's go look at some homes!
The fun part of this process is looking at homes! This is where we find out just what things you actually like or don't like. Do you really want wood floors? What about those cabinets? Or the size of the kitchen?
Sometimes a first-time homebuyer is tempted to fall in love with the first thing they look at and even though it makes our job easy we encourage you to take your time and really think about whether you'd like to live in the home for the next 5 to 10 years. Really think about room sizes, yard size, and everything that encompasses the new home to make sure it's going to fit your needs now and into the future.
Step 3:
Buying a Home
At Slate Realty, we really encourage our homebuyers to fall in love with at least 2 homes. This way, we can try to get you the best deal possible. We can put an offer in on the first house and let them know that we have another, second offer ready to send on a different house if they aren't interested in meeting our price. Sometimes this can really help get a good deal but of course what helps the most is being able to walk away. We've had buyers score excellent deals because they refused to come upon what was seemingly a lowball offer. The sellers caved and the buyers received instant equity. Of course, we want all of our buyers to have instant equity and this is why before you ever put in an offer we will make sure you are well aware of recent sales and the sales history of the home you are trying to buy.
Step 4:
The Inspection
The inspection is a great chance to find out all the warts when it comes to your new home. Depending on the age of the home, the inspection may reveal a few surprises. Don't worry though, we will make sure that any items that come up in the inspection report are addressed in one fashion or another. Sometimes this can result in a buyer getting cash back at closing to help with the repairs. Other times it can mean we walk away from a deal or the seller has to scramble to try to get something fixed before closing.
Step 5:
Final Walkthrough
We will do a final walkthrough on your home to make sure all is well, and then it's on to the closing where you will get keys for your new home.
Step 6:
Closing
At Slate Realty, our agents are always at the closing table just in case any unexpected items or questions arise. Closing is where you pledge the house for collateral and agree to make payments until the home is paid off. Everything will be explained and accounted for at the closing table.
Many times even after you close on your new home, you will have to wait a few days until you are able to move in. This is fairly common as it allows the seller of the home a few days to move their things.
Step 7:
Enjoy your new home!
Well, of course, this is the most satisfying part! Move-in, have a cookout and invite your Slate Realty agent!