Buying a home can create as much excitement as it can concern. That’s why I do all I can to help make the process as smooth as possible – even if this is your first time buying a home. The more you know and understand about the process, area neighborhoods, home values, financing, and other related topics, the more confidence you will have in the decisions you make.
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.
Complete this simple form to help you start thinking about the details you’ll need, like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, style of home, neighborhood – and price.
THE BUYING PROCESS.
From knowing how much you can spend to making an offer and moving in, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the buying process, so you’ll know what to expect at every step.
FROM OFFER TO CLOSING.
With fewer homes available for sale and higher demand for the homes that are on the market, it’s important to be ready when you find the house you want to make your home. The first step is understanding the process and making sure you have everything in place so you’re ready to move forward.
1. Determine what you want to spend.
You know best what your income is, where your money is spent every month, and what’s important to you in terms of the activities you enjoy. This helps you to determine what you can spend on a home. As you work out the details, be sure to include the cost of utilities, upkeep on your home and yard, the purchase of any appliances and tools, insurance, and any HOA fees that add to your monthly expenses. You may want to talk to your bank or a mortgage broker to find out what you might be qualified to borrow toward the purchase of a new home and any requirements they have of you in terms of a down payment.
2. Choose a realtor.
Working with the right realtor is an important decision. You want someone who is professional, experienced, and knowledgeable – and who is willing to work for you. Meeting in person is a great way to see how you’ll feel about working together. I am a big believer in reading reviews from past clients. I’m also happy to answer any questions you may have about me and any concerns you may have.
3. Determine the type of house you want.
Looking around to see what homes are available, listing prices, and neighborhoods is a great way to discover where you’ll be comfortable living. It can also help you to see how well your expectations fit your budget. Once you’ve narrowed down your wants and wishes, share these with me, so I can begin selecting listings of homes you’ll want to see.
4. Determine the neighborhoods you prefer.
Omaha and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of neighborhoods to fit your lifestyle, school preferences, and even proximity to work and activities. I can help you to narrow down your search and find listings that let you see what it might be like to live in your preferred neighborhood.
5. Search for homes.
Based on your criteria, budget, and neighborhood preferences, we can begin to schedule tours of the homes that offer the best fit for you. I can also help to get the answers to any questions you might have about a particular home or feature as we tour homes.
6. Make an offer.
Once you find a home that you want to buy, I can help you to develop an offer based on your wishes and my knowledge of the area, home values, and other qualities that impact price. I can also draw up any documents and make sure that all are completed according to requirements and that we detail the specifics such as inspections, that impact your offer. To show good faith in the offer, the buyer typically puts down a deposit of one percent. This check or amount is held in escrow and applied to purchase at closing. Or, if the deal does not go through, it can be returned to the buyer.
7. Manage negotiations.
There are occasions where the seller accepts the offer the buyer makes. However, more likely than not, there will be some back and forth negotiations before settling on the price and other conditions set out in the offer and counter-offer. This is where having an experienced realtor like me can make a difference in ensuring your wishes are represented and that you understand all the details surrounding these negotiations.
8. Conduct inspection.
Most offers are written to be contingent on the completion of an inspection of the property. Your realtor can help you to select a reputable inspector to examine all aspects of the property’s condition – HVAC, plumbing, and electrical; structural issues; windows, roofs, siding, and gutters; and any number of items that can impact the home’s value or require repair. There may be items that the seller is required to repair, such as smoke detectors. Or there may be items that you, the buyer, require the seller to fix in order to move forward with the purchase of the property. The seller can either choose to make the repairs, offer to split the cost of repairs with the buyer, or refuse to make any repairs. This can affect the decision to move forward with the purchase of the home.
9. Purchase agreement reached.
As soon as the purchase agreement is reached, escrow begins, and so does the loan process. The buyer works directly with the lender to complete the mortgage, so that funds are available at the time of closing. In addition, the escrow account is created and managed by a third-party to handle deposits and manage real estate transfers and other requirements.
At the closing, the buyer receives the keys to the property and can move in right away. Congratulations!
10. Move in.
CHOOSING ME AS YOUR REALTOR.
Often people see a realtor as someone who can pull listings and make arrangements to view houses for sale. While this is certainly important, the real value of having your own realtor is having someone with the skills and experience to help you navigate the process from offer to closing.