Buyers
Connect with a real estate agent.
This is a crucial step as a successful agent will direct you in every step after this.
Prequalification letter*
Obtain a prequalification letter prior to searching for a home. You can research lenders and your real estate agent (hopefully that's me!) can connect you with several lenders for you to choose from. This letter is required for your agent to present an offer to a seller. In this fast market, it is imperative to obtain this prior to finding the home you want as the time it takes to get it, the home could be sold. This letter also is important as it confirms the amount of money you can lend. There is nothing worse than finding the home of your dreams, THEN go to the lender and discover you are not eligible for the loan.
*A proof of funds letter is required at time of offer for all cash offers.
Custom tailored home search
Based on your approved loan value, your real estate agent can set up a search for ALL active and coming soon homes except FSBO's. The search can include area, price range, acreage, square footage along with many other parameters.
Drive the neighborhoods
Real estate agents can set you up on an app called Homespotter. This app allows you to drive around and if you are in a neighborhood you like, you can see if there are any homes for sale at that moment in there. This is an important step as you buy the neighborhood and then you buy the home.
Go see some houses!
You could 1 or 15 houses before you fall in love with your next home. I can comp these homes and let you know where the price sits and what a strong offer would look like. As you look, you will quickly learn what are absolute necessities in a home and what are hard no as well. Photographers are magicians. They are supposed to pull you in but seeing in person is believing.
Put in an offer and get under contract!
The whole process should be exciting but this is when it gets real and you want to lean on your agent for guidance. They will make the next steps easy and you'll be on your way to owning your new home!