Buyer / Seller Services
Learn about Buying
Get ready to find the home of your dreams. Get tips on what you should look for, how to negotiate a great deal, how to protect yourself along the way, and more.
Step 1: Defining What You Want
Start by creating a prioritized list of features you want in your next home and the reasons why. In addition, talk to your real estate professional about where you want to live
Step 2: Figuring Out What You Can Afford
Now that you know what you want, it's time to see what you can afford. When you're ready to move to the next step, you can get pre-approved for a mortgage . First, it will tell you how much house you can afford and what your monthly payments would be. Second, it tells the seller that you can afford to buy their home.
Step 3: Shopping For Homes
Once you know what community you'd like to live in and have an idea of how much house you can afford, its time to start checking out actual properties . Next, begin visiting homes in person.
Step 4: Making An Offer
In most cases it is better to have a third party, such as a real estate professional, negotiate the offer. If you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, don't give out any information about your move, your current housing status, financial status or your feelings about their property - positive or negative. This could hurt you in future negotiations.
Step 5: Inspection & Insurance
After your offer is accepted you will need to set up, coordinate and interpret various inspections, including insect, radon, building quality, oil tank, title, etc. You will also need to arrange for homeowners insurance and finalize the mortgage. Your CENTURY 21® Real Estate Professional can help make these discussions go more smoothly. In most states you will also have the option of a "walk through" before the closing.
Step 6: The Final Closing
Before you arrive at the closing, make sure all the necessary paper work and deposits have been completed. If the mortgage, title work, homeowners insurance and other items necessary under local and state laws are not completed and brought to the closing table, the closing may not happen on time. And, depending on what the contract says, this could result in further action including financial penalties and even the loss of your rights to the home. Once you close, it's official - you own the house!
