With so many steps involved, answering the question of how to start buying a house can seem daunting. However, there are some basic steps you can take to make the process more manageable before you get to the home inspection and final purchase of your home.
Here are some of the basic things you need to do to start buying a house:
Get preapproved for a mortgage
Getting a preapproval letter from a mortgage lender benefits you in several ways. It helps you determine how much you can afford to spend on your new house, and also shows sellers you’re a qualified and motivated buyer.
Hire a real estate agent
Real estate agents are equipped with knowledge and resources to help you navigate every part of the real estate process. Most importantly, they can use their expertise to find listings that match your criteria for a perfect home.
Start your home search
Utilize the skills and resources provided by your real estate agent to find your dream home. Start with a list of priorities like must-have features, location and purchase price.
Make an offer
Once you’ve found the right house, your real estate agent can help you with any necessary negotiations and make the best offer based on purchase price, home inspection results, appraisal and home features.
While this is a simplified version of the home-buying process, it can be helpful to think about it in these basic steps.
About the Author
Cheryl Cook
Hi, I'm CHERYL COOK and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're looking for advice and guidance to prepare your property for sale or in the research phase of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
I am a dedicated full-time Broker Associate with eXp Realty. I obtained my New Jersey Real Estate License in 2003 and mentored under seasoned Real Estate professionals who taught and inspired me with their experiences. As a member of the National, State, and North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® I have achieved the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations as well as Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification. I specialize in residential sales in Somerset, Union, Middlesex and Essex Counties.
Thank you visiting my website. I look forward to hearing from you.
