The Home Buying Process

When planning on purchasing your new home, it's best to enhance your chances of getting the home you want without losing that one special home that you really want. Here are some items that will smooth the path to success.

•  Get pre-approved for the purchase

• • This will establish the price range of home to consider.

• • Sellers will consider your offer knowing you can finance the purchase.

• • Your realtor can negotiate with confidence when you know what is financially best for you.

• Submit a strong competitive offer

• Include a substantial earnest money deposit -- this shows how strong your offer is.

• Minimize or eliminate contingencies -- the fewer the stronger the offer will be.

• View comparable houses in the area to establish the market value of your choice.

• Try to view the chosen property twice before making your offer.

• Maintain strong communication with your realtor.

After your offer has been accepted, the closing process will begin.

The first step will be to complete your home inspection and have your realtor negotiate the work the seller needs to complete.

Then you and your realtor will work with your loan officer to insure the appraisal is completed and the value of the home is
greater than or equal to your purchase price.

Next the lender will provide loan documents and loan approval.

Your loan officer will have provided a Good Faith Estimate that estimates your payments and closing costs.

The Title Company will provide you and your realtor information to ensure the title has no other liens and is free and clear.

The Escrow Company will prepare all of the closing documents for your signature (usually 30-40 days after mutual acceptance).

After you sign all of the documents, within 48 hours the title is recorded in your name and you may move into your new home.