Buying a home is a big decision. But it does not have to be a scary one.
Buying a home is a big decision. But it does not have to be a scary one. If you begin planning ahead of time, you will be ready when the time comes to start the process. So, let’s start planning your future purchase. It is best to begin the planning process about 12 months before you are ready to start looking for properties. You want to be certain that your financial goals are in line with buying a new home. The costs of buying a home extend way beyond the closing table. For this reason having a savings cushion for that first year after the purchase will be extremely important. Opening a designated home buying savings account is a great way to jump start your savings. Schedule your periodic savings into this account on a monthly or weekly basis. This will allow you to become intentional about setting funds aside for your down payment, closing costs, and post move costs.
After you decide that you are ready to buy a home in 12 months, it’s now time to contact your bank to review your credit and loan worthiness. Many buyers begin shopping for a home only to get disappointed once they find out they cannot afford it. So, to avoid stress, contact your local bank first to find out if you can get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Hiring a Realtor is a difficult decision. Just because your best friend is a realtor, does not mean he/she is qualified to assist you with what could be the biggest financial decision of your life. You want to make sure your realtor is experienced in the market, has past recommendations from former clients, and is local.
Knowing what is actually important to you in your new home will have make the buying process an easier one for you and your loved ones. You want to list the must-have items as well as those that you can live without. That way once you come across a property that does not qualify based on you pre-existing list you can easily move on.
You have worked hard the past few months making sure that you are ready for the home buying process. Your savings are in order, your bank has provided you with a Pre-approval letter, you have picked the most qualified Realtor to assist you, and you are equipped with your wish list. Now comes the fun part of shopping for a New Home.
Ready-Set-Shop!!
Once you find the home of your dreams, it is time to prepare for closing. This process can usually take 30-45 days depending on your lender. Creating a closing list of requested items, as well as important deadlines are helpful to carry you through the closing process without getting lost and frustrated. Feel free to ask your realtor to assist you on creating the list. By following this guide, you will be ready to buy a home in no time!
Renata is the leading agent in and south Florida and has helped hundreds of buyers including many, NFL, MLB, and NBA players, find their dream home.