OR GO TO :

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make during their lifetime. Once you decide that it is time for you to purchase a home, there are several key steps to  the process of buying.  Following these steps will ensure that you educate yourself and enlist the help of others who can help make your dream a reality.

Determine a price range

At the beginning of the process, you will want to gather and organize all of your personal financial information. When you visit a lender to inquire about mortgage options, you will need to present them with this information and they will also be able to run a credit check for you to determine what kind of financing you qualify for.  Knowing what kind of monthly payment you can afford will allow you to have a product meeting with your lender and determine a price range for homes that are in your budget.

Enlist the help of a qualified agent

When you make a financial decision of this consequence, it is wise to have the expertise and experience of a real estate agent to assist you not only in looking at homes, but also in the various legal and logistical aspects of the buying process. Look for an agent who has a great track record, who has at least five years of experience in the area where you are looking to buy and one with whom you feel you can have a pleasant and productive time working and looking at homes.

Let the search begin

You probably already have a good idea of the type of home and neighborhood that you are interested in looking for. Various internet sites can help you browse properties that are on the market and, of course, your agent will have access to additional listings and will be able to recommend properties to look at based on the needs and desires that you have expressed. Build a list of homes to go visit and your agent will set up appointments to do so. As you look at each home, don’t be afraid to ask questions or even take notes. Once you have visited several, it is a good idea to spend some time reviewing with your agent the elements of each property that you liked and disliked. This will help your agent assist you in narrowing the list of potential homes to visit and make your search more effective.

Once you have found that perfect home, you’re are well on your way to concluding the buying process! Congratulations! For more information on inspections, appraisals, closings and moving in, ask your agent to talk you through the process and inform you about exactly what you should expect and be prepared for!

There are many potential reasons that a homeowner may decide to sell their property. Whatever your reason, the ultimate goal as a seller is to complete the transaction in a way that serves your goals financially.  A qualified agent will be able to assist you in assessing the market and coming up with a strategy to optimize your selling experience. The first and most important step along the way to selling is choosing an experienced agent with both the knowledge, people skills and professionalism to help you through the process.

Determine a price

Your agent will assist you in researching recent sales of properties similar to yours. This will give you a good basis by which to set a reasonable price for your own home. Depending on your needs in terms of timing, you may have more or less flexibility on your asking price. If you are in no rush to sell, you can afford to set the price higher and entertain potential buyers at your leisure. However, you never want to price your home outside of a reasonable range or you will deter potentially serious buyers from even looking at it in the first place.  Most sellers are on a timeline so ask your agent about the best way to balance your goal of getting a desired asking price with your goal of having a timely transaction.  A qualified agent will understand the  delicate intricacies of determining an asking price and also of adjusting it if necessary.

Prepare for company

One of the most important elements of the selling process is your ability to stage your home and even your yard appropriately in order to appeal to the widest audience. Your agent will walk through your property with you and make suggestions that will greatly enhance your home’s showing power. While you have your home on the market, be sure to always keep it clean inside and carefully maintain the yard as well. Potential buyers will schedule times to see your home and they will do this with your agent. You will be asked to leave the home for short periods of time during these visits, but be sure that your agent has your best interest in mind and will do a professional job of showing your home and informing the potential buyer of all of its benefits.

Accepting an offer

The process of receiving offers from buyers can be very exciting and also intimidating to a seller. Do not become overwhelmed with this, but rather, allow your agent to walk you through the pros and cons association with each offer. There is more to an offer than just the asking price. Many other factors may influence the timing and other important details of the process, so rely on your agent to help you analyze each offer you receive. Remember, it is always better to accept an offer from a buyer who has been pre-approved by a lender. When you have decided to accept an offer that suites you and your goals for selling your property, there will be many important legal and logistical measures to take. Your agent will be able to assist you in the process of negotiating, receiving escrow and setting up the closing details.

Congratulations! As a seller, it is an exciting moment to realize that you have accepted an offer and are close to completing the process of selling your home. During this time, it is very important that you keep written records of everything. Also, keep in mind that the buyer will probably want to arrange home inspections prior to closing. Your agent will help you through all the details!