Patty Manzi's Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

If you are a first-time home-buyer, or a buyer who hasn’t purchased a home in the last 10 years or more, here are some basic guidelines of what to expect during the buying process.

• Find a Realtor® you can trust.  The first step in the home buying process is to find an experienced Realtor® that you can trust, who has a team of professionals in place.  This will help to ensure  that your needs are met professionally and represented throughout the entire process of buying your home.  Ask for, and check references.
• Get Pre-Approved for a Loan.  This is a very important step.  By doing this before looking for a home, you’ll save time, energy, and frustration.  You will know exactly how much home you can afford.
• Look for your dream home.  The next step is to look a various homes.  A good rule of thumb is  to look at no more than 5 houses each time you go out to tour homes, more than that can be overwhelming.  Your agent can give you printouts from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with details on the homes you see.  Take notes on all the properties so you can remember later what features you liked or disliked about the homes.  Remember to take notes on the neighborhood as well.
• Your offer.  Be Careful ~ this is a BIG step!  When you find your dream home, you should be prepared to present a competitive offer immediately.  Your agent must  do thorough research and be able to back up your offer with solid data supporting the price and terms  that you choose.
• The Contract.  You’re starting to jog now….When the seller accepts your contract to purchase, you are ‘in escrow’. Your Realtor®, and you, will work as a team to make sure every detail is handled accurately and immediately so the escrow can close properly, and on-time.
• Inspections.  You’re on the “HOME” Stretch!  Inspections are performed to ensure you know everything you can about the home you are buying.  Contract details are further performed and negotiated, and when all tasks are complete – you head to closing!
• Signing the Loan Documents.  Finalizing the Lender’s commitment.  Prior to the closing, you, your lender, your agent, and your title representative will sit down with you to sign your loan documents at the title company.  At this time you will bring your down-payment/closing funds.  After the signing the  lender will send their funds to complete the transaction. 
• Now it’s YOURS!  Then next Step will be into your new home.  After the Deed is recorded, you can pick up your keys and move into your new ‘Home Sweet Home’!

Sound too easy?  Keep in mind that no two home purchases are identical, they all have their own unique set of circumstances and conditions that need to be addressed.  And, yes,  sometimes problems do arise.  Having a professional team in place can help to ensure that all the issues are dealt with in a professional and timely manner.  This experience should be exciting and enjoyable, as well as get you the perfect home with the least amount of hassle!