"10 Keys to Buying a Home"

Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you're not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don't have all the best information and resources at hand.

If you're like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you're buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of my experience as a local market expert for the Adairsville and Calhoun areas to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way?

Start with these "10 Keys to Buying a Home" and just let me know when you're ready for assistance.

  1. Decide what you want in a home.  When you look at all the homes on the market today, finding just that right one can seem to be a bewildering task.  Narrow your field down as much as possible by deciding exactly what you want in your perfect home.  Click here for a House Wish List to help get focused. 
  2. Decide how much home you can afford.   Nothing can be more frustrating, nor financially disastrous, than to find a home you like and then discover it's just a little more home than you can afford.  Before you start looking, you need to know how much home you feel comfortable buying.  Our "How Much Home?" report will help you do that.  Also, visit our Mortgage Center for more tools and information on home affordability. 
  3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage.  Even if you feel comfortable with a certain price of home or monthly payment, you need to make sure your lender feels the same!  There may be issues on your credit report that need addressing, or other things you are not aware of that only the pre-approval process will reveal.  Go to our Mortgage Center to get pre-approved online, or to speak with our mortgage partner.  Once pre-approved, you can hunt for that perfect home with confidence.
  4. Get a REALTOR®.  There's nothing that says you have to use a REALTOR® to help you buy a home, but why wouldn't you with what is most likely the most important financial decision of your life?  Click here to find out what a REALTOR® can do for you, and when you're ready, we want you to know we would love to be YOUR REALTOR®!
  5. Find a Home.  Now, your'e ready to look for that perfect home!  Let our Home Matching System look for you automatically, or use our Home Search System if you want to look for yourself.  Or, simply let us know and we'll do a custom search for you.  Just let us know when you're ready to schedule an appointment to see a home (or homes).
  6. Make an offer.  Once you've found that home of your dreams, it's time to make an offer to the seller.  Your REALTOR® will draw up the necessary papers and make sure the details of what you are offering are accurately stated.  He will then present the offer to the seller (usually through an agent representing the seller).  The seller will either accept your offer, reject it, or make a counter offer back to you.  Whatever the case, your REALTOR® will explain every detail to you. 
  7. Obtain an accepted contract.  Once you and the seller agree on the terms of the offer/counter offer, you are said to be "under contract."  You should notify your lender immediately, and provide whatever information they require as soon as possible, to prevent delays. 
  8. Do inspection(s)/Prepare for closing.  Depending on the terms of the contract, you may have asked for the right to do various inspections on the home, and usually there are time limits to do so. Your REALTOR® will be aware of any time limits or other contingencies in the contract, but you must act in a timely manner to meet any requirements in the contract. Click here for more information on home inspections.  Also, during this time, you should be arranging to have the utilities turned on in your name, obtaining insurance on the new home, and other things in preparation for the closing.  Your REALTOR® will help you coordinate these activities. 
  9. Go to closing and get the keys!  Once you've cleared all your inspections and contingencies and your loan has been processed, you are ready to go to the closing, which usually takes place at an attorney's office.  Besides the attorney, the seller(s) and their agent, you and your REALTOR®, and sometimes the lender will be there.  You will sign several papers required by law and your lender, and depending on the terms of the contract, you should get the keys and at that time take possession of your new home.
  10. File closing documents in a safe place.  The closing attorney will give you a package of all documents you have signed at the closing, and you should file it in a secure place that you can access as needed for tax purposes, legal proceedings, and other important events related to your home.  Don't forget to file for your Homestead Exemption with your local tax office if your new home is your primary home.

For more information on the home buying process, check out the following FREE reports:

Tips for House Hunting with a Well-Trained Eye What is a Mortgage?
How to Choose a Home Getting a Mortgage
Take Charge When Buying a Home Time for a Vacation Home?