Purchasing a home can be an exciting and complex process. It’s important to understand that before you start viewing properties or making offers, you have to get your finances in order. That means getting rid of old debts, having a good credit score, and having enough savings to be able to put down anywhere between 5-20% of a down payment. Once you have done this, head to a bank and get pre-qualified and pre-approved.
Now that you have chosen your offer, we will write up an effective agreement or execute a contract. In other words, there is now a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. You and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. We will keep you constantly updated, so you will always be ready for the next step.
A title company will typically be selected as a closing agent. The closing agent will hold the down payment deposit in escrow and will research the complete recorded history of the property to ensure that the title is free and clear of encumbrances by the closing date and that all new encumbrances are properly added to the title.
Once your offer is accepted by the seller, you will need to have a licensed property inspector inspect the property within the agreed time frame. Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:
- Either each milestone is successfully closed, and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you closer to the closing table, or
- The buyer, after reviewing the property and papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract
If the purchase of the property is conditional upon financing, your lender will request the property be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate. Appraisers are specialists determining the value of properties based on a combination many things such as: square footage measurements, building costs, recent sales of comparable properties, etc.
Once this is done and other matters are handled such as insurance matters, that are to be discussed with your lender, all that is left to do is wait for your closing date! This process can be relatively simple if you have the right people by your side. We will assemble the best team to help your dreams of owning a home a reality.
