The Home Buying Process

1. Decide to buy.  Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. We call home ownership the best “accidental investment” most people ever make. But, we believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an “intentional investment” that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out.

2. Hire your agent.  The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals – It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.

3. Secure financing.  From start to finish, your agent and mortgage professional will lead you through the process to securing the financing for your home.

4. Find your home.  You may think that shopping for homes starts with jumping in the car and driving all over town. And it’s true that hopping in the car to go look is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, driving around is fun for only so long – if weeks go by without finding what you’re looking for, the fun can fade pretty fast. That’s why we say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs, both for the short and long terms.

5. Make an offer.  When searching for your dream home, you were just that – a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective o your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies.

6. Perform due diligence.  Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can’t return it if something breaks or doesn’t quite work like it’s supposed to. That’s why home owner’s insurance and property inspections are so important.

7. 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. Your agent and attorney will keep you posted on how each is progressing. On 'closing day' you will meet with all of the other parties involved, sign some papers and leave the table a bon-a-fide home owner.

Home Buyers Consultation - Meet with a Real Estate Buyers Specialist and find out if your dream home is on the market..

Search For Property - Access the same database that real estate agents use to search for property and find your next home!

Buying a New Construction Home - Why buy used when you can buy brand new? Everything you need to know about contracting with a builder.

How To Submit An Offer - Find out what to do once you've found the perfect home.

First Time Home Buyers - Learn about the $8,000 tax refund you can recieve on next year's taxes.

How To Finance Your New Home - There are many viable options available to home buyers looking to finance in a down economy.

Protect Your Investment - Find out how a Home Warranty can save you thousands of dollars and hours of stress.

Home Inspections 101 - Do you know how to read a Home Inspection Report?

What Is Title Insurance - Your lender will require you to protect them with Title Insurance - but are you protected?

Understanding Home Owners Insurance - Find out what you need to know before shopping for your Insurance Policy.