To have the best home-buying experience, consider the items below, before you start your home search.
Please call Lisa Cannon at (210) 884-9515 or click here to email so we can get started finding your dream home.
Steps to Consider When Purchasing a Home
Determine How Much You Can Afford
How much you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, down payment monies available, and the interest rate. Other things related to finances are an inspection and negotiable items, such as survey, closing costs, etc., in the contract. Your Real Estate Agent in San Antonio can assist in connecting you to lenders who can help in determining how much house you can buy or, if necessary, assisting you in increasing your credit score to ensure you qualify for a loan.
Find the Right Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Agents are important partners when you’re buying or selling a home. Real Estate Agents can provide you with helpful information on home listings in San Antonio that aren’t easily accessible to the public. A Real Estate Agent can set up searches on the MLS as you are looking, and they have access to homes that immediately come on the market in their MLS. Their knowledge of the home buying process, negotiating skills, and familiarity with the area you want to live in can be extremely valuable. They can also connect you with reputable lenders. And best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything to use an agent – they’re compensated from the commission paid by the seller of the house.
Get Pre-qualified and Pre-approved for Your Mortgage
To get pre-qualified, you just need to provide some financial information to your lender, such as your income and the amount of savings and investments you have. The lender will review this information and tell you how much you qualify for and what type of loan is best for your and your circumstances. This will tell you the price range of the homes you should be looking at and needs to be communicated with your Real Estate Agent in San Antonio. Keep in mind, what you qualify for is not necessarily what you have to spend. Later, you will get preapproved for your mortgage, which involves providing your financial documents (W-2 statements, paycheck stubs, bank account statements, etc.).The Real Estate Agent, mortgage lender, inspector, and title company are all part of an integral team working together to assist the buyer in their process of purchasing a home.
Shop for Your Home
Once the price range is determined, discuss with your agent those things that are important to you in a home listing in San Antonio: location, size, features, and amenities in the home and neighborhood; new construction; pre-owned; or a fixer-upper. Your agent can assist you in determining what you want and what you can afford, as well. Start touring homes in your price range and consider taking notes and snapping a few pictures or video of the homes to assist you in remembering the details.
Make an Offer
You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies. After discussing with the components of the contract and looking at the neighborhood comparisons, your Real Estate Agent in San Antonio will negotiate these items on your behalf.
Get a Home Inspection
Once the terms of the contract are negotiated, work with your Real Estate Agent to get a home inspection. A home inspection is meant to assist you in showing the basic condition of the property, such as the foundation and mechanical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC etc.) so you know what you are getting before you sign the closing papers. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked. However, should a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. At this point, discuss with your Real Estate Agent if the price or repairs should be renegotiated or if you should walk away from the purchase.
Close
The final stage of the home buying process is the lender’s confirmation of the home’s value and legal statue, and your continued credit-worthiness. This entails a survey, appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and finance. You and your Real Estate Agent should maintain communication on the progress of things until you close on your home.
Please call Lisa Cannon at (210) 884-9515 or click here to email so we can get started finding your dream home.