For Buyers
The decision to buy a home is an exciting one. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a growing family that needs more room, or you find yourself a couple again with grown kids leaving the nest, Home Selling Assistance will make your home search a pleasant and successful experience. Our professional sales associates will guide you through the entire process, from finance options and mortgage approval, to shopping for homes and making an offer, to inspections and closing.
Chapter 1
WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD:
Before beginning your new home search, it's helpful to obtain a mortgage pre-approval. Your Home Selling Assistance agent can help you talk with a lender to obtain pre-approval, which will give you a good idea of how much money you will have to spend, down payments you should anticipate, and the approximate amount you can expect your monthly principal and interest payments to run. Mortgage pre-approval also gives the seller peace of mind that you will be able to obtain the financing necessary to purchase their home.
There are many mortgage options available to homebuyers. Your Home Selling Assistance agent will assist in contacting a lender to discuss available financing options, such as Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM), Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM), interest-only loans, and government-backed loans including FHA and VA loans. Loan options vary greatly in terms of required down payments, closing costs, and documentation. Your lender will work with you to find the best option to fit your needs and help you get the most home for your money.
Chapter 2
WHAT YOU WANT:
You've decided to buy a home and have a good idea of how much you can spend, thanks to the mortgage pre-approval process. Now it's time to look at what you want in your new home. Home Selling Assistance agents have the experience and knowledge you need about the types of homes you're considering and the areas in which you are interested in living. They can share demographic information with you and are knowledgeable about prices of homes, the school systems, and the surrounding areas.
It's helpful for you to think about the features you want and need in your new home, and talk about this with your Home Selling Assistance agent so they can tailor home searches to fit your requirements. One good way to help is to visit Open Houses in the area(s) you're looking.
Features to bear in mind include number of bedrooms and bathrooms; the architectural style(s) you prefer; any special attributes such as a garage, fireplace, fenced yard; and the age of the home (new construction vs. previously owned). You may need to have your new home close to specific routes, schools, or your job. If you have children, you'll want to know the makeup of the neighborhood – is it comprised mostly of young families with children or older families? And if you do have children, you'll want more information on the local school system. Your Home Selling Assistance agent can help answer all these questions for you – all of our sales associates are licensed REALTORS® with the knowledge, experience, and resources to successfully search for homes that meet all your criteria and fit your budget.
Chapter 3
SHOPPING FOR HOMES:
Once you've narrowed down the features and geographic area, the fun begins – visiting homes for sale. As mentioned earlier, Open Houses are a good way to view homes that are currently on the market. You can also search Home Selling Assistance's online Homes For Sale database. Your Home Selling Assistance agent will present you with houses available for sale that meet your criteria. This information will usually include a picture of the outside of the home, and details about the property such as square footage, lot size, home features, room sizes, any improvements/upgrades made to the home, homeowner's association information, and school district. And if you drive by a house for sale that you like, simply give the address to your Home Selling Assistance agent and he/she can quickly provide you with details on that home.
As you find houses that meet your criteria, the next step is to set up appointments to go view the houses in person. Contact your Home Selling Assistance agent and they will handle scheduling the appointments. It's a good idea to take along pen and paper to make notes about specific house features and your likes/dislikes about each property. Your new home is out there waiting to be discovered!
Chapter 4
MAKING AN OFFER:
You've found the home of your dreams, and the time has come to make an offer. Whether you are a first time or experienced home buyer, it pays to have a real estate professional handling your negotiations. Home Selling Assistance agents have the knowledge and experience to know the difference between a reasonable asking price and one that is above or even below market value. They work closely with you to determine a realistic offer and consult with the seller on your behalf. These negotiations can often times be quite difficult and stressful. Your HSA agent serves as your advocate to ensure that you're receiving the highest value for the best possible price.
Chapter 5
INSPECTION & INSURANCE:
Your offer has been accepted and now it's time to set up various home inspections before settlement. Your Home Selling Assistance agent can make all the arrangements for structural, mechanical, radon, oil/gas, pest, asbestos, and any other inspections that he/she sees necessary. Your agent will ensure that your settlement is contingent upon a clean inspection and will negotiate with the seller in the event that repairs need to be made. This is an essential step in the buying process, as you don't want any unnecessary surprises and/or hidden costs after settlement.
You will also need to contact a title company and make arrangements for Home Owners Insurance at this phase in the buying process. Your Home Selling Assistance USA agent can recommend insurance plans and point you in the direction of qualified title companies and insurance brokers.
Chapter 6
THE CLOSING:
It's closing time and you're ready to become a homeowner. Before you attend the closing, be sure to complete all of the necessary paperwork and pay all required deposits for the mortgage, title, homeowners insurance and anything else that falls under local and state requirements. Your Home Selling Assistance agent will guide you through to ensure a smooth closing free of the many hiccups that can cause unnecessary delays or financial penalties. Once the closing is complete, congratulations are in order! Now it's time to celebrate!
