Buy

Steps to buying a home

Everyone dreams of owning their own home. Searching for the perfect home for your family can be a very exciting, yet anxiety-filled experience. However, if you know what to expect during the home buying process you will be more relaxed and comfortable knowing that we will be by your side every step of the way guiding you through it and looking out for your best interests. Below are the steps to selling to help you visualize what this process looks like. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions and remember we will be there for you every step of the way!

STEP 1: DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD

Before the house hunting process begins, it is important to know how much you can afford. Expenses to consider include the down payment, monthly expenses, property taxes, and any home insurance costs. These will all have to be considered before the home buying process begins as they are typically included in your new monthly payment. Since a person’s credit score determines their interest rate, knowing your score ahead of time can help you decide if now is a good time to buy or not. An individual’s debt-to-income ratio must also fall within acceptable limits of the home’s cost. Once you have determined these things, and if you feel that your budget has enough room to afford a new home, then it’s time to look for the right loan.

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STEP 2: GET PRE-APPROVED

Different banks and companies will offer different loan origination fees and by shopping around you can oftentimes save yourself a lot of money. Get multiple quotes so you can make sure you get the best rate & terms. Be sure to also check your loan officer’s website for testimonials and information. A good loan officer will offer you many online resources and tools. Before you lock in your rate, be sure to check the daily rate with the rate your loan officer gives you to ensure you are getting the lowest rate possible. Interest rates will determine how much a mortgage will cost each month and come in fixed or adjustable terms. Mortgage lengths can range from 15 years to 30 years. The longer the repayment term, the lower the payments will be. However, the interest accrued will also be higher on a longer loan. Don’t forget to ask for a pre-approval letter so you can include this with any offers you make.


STEP 3: FIND A REALTOR®

Before you start your home search it is important to find a Buyer’s Agent that will be looking out for your best interests so you don’t fall into a money pit or end up paying too much for your new home. A good Buyer’s agent will help guide you through the home buying process and can also save you TONS of time and money on the road to your new home. Buyer’s agents are legally bound to help buyers, whereas listing agents—the real estate agent representing the home listing—have a fiduciary duty to the home seller. Your Buyer’s agent will also set up home tours, give you insight on any homes you like that you may not be aware of, have knowledge of upcoming listings not yet on the market, help you negotiate the best terms, protect your part in the deal and give you invaluable advice throughout the process.

STEP 4: START SEARCHING

Start your home search by using your agents website (like this one!) to search the MLS for homes. Agent’s have a direct line to the MLS so their websites often update with the newest properties faster than the ‘big name’ sites out there. It also has a My Listing Manager tool that keeps you both in the loop. You can start your search and begin saving your favorite properties to your account and even set up alerts to get new homes & price changes emailed to you. Your agent can then see the properties you have liked and can send potential new properties directly into your Listing Manager that they think you may be interested in. It’s a WIN-WIN!

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STEP 5: MAKE AN OFFER & NEGOTIATE

There is an art to making an offer on a home. Your Buyer’s Agent will help you choose the right terms for your offer and will be watching for signs of problems in the home. Listen closely and be sure to ask questions. Be sure to ask for an inspection contingency so if there are major problems you can back out of the deal without losing your Earnest Money. A Home Warranty is also a valuable part of your contract and is a sign of good faith on the sellers part. You want to make sure all of your bases are covered. That’s where having a Buyer’s Agent is most valuable so your rights and interests are protected. With their experience on your side, they will be able to help you negotiate a lower price that sometimes includes concessions or closing costs. Their job is to protect YOU in the contract.

STEP 6: HOME INSPECTIONS & APPRAISAL

Once your offer has been accepted you will need a home appraisal. Banks require this so they can make sure the home is worth as much money as they are lending you. You may also need some inspections depending on your loan type. FHA & VA Loans have more requirements than Conventional loans. This is also the time to have a full home inspection even if it is not required. A home inspector will go through the home and specifically look for problems and provide you with a full report on everything they find. This will give you the opportunity to avoid major problems and back out of the sale or negotiate repairs without losing your earnest money.


STEP 7: ASK FOR REPAIRS OR DISCOUNTS

Once the inspections are done you will more than likely ask the seller to fix some of the issues you found. Keep in mind that they are only required to fix something if the loan terms require it. Be reasonable but firm in your requests. If your seller rejects your request then it is up to you to decide how to proceed.

STEP 8: FINAL WALK-THROUGH

The final walk-through is an important last step, even if you are positive you are going to go through with the sale. Walk through and check the agreed upon repairs, make sure everything is in working order and new issues have not popped up. This is your last opportunity to back out. If everything looks good then its time to go to closing!


STEP 9: CLOSING & ESCROW

Before the home is legally transferred to you, the closing process must occur. During this phase, you will sign all of the mortgage documents, pay closing costs, and sign various other legal documents. Your Buyer’s agent will be at the closing with you to help you through it all. Once all of the papers are signed and monies are transferred, the keys to your new home are yours! The only thing left to do is move into your humble abode. This may occur immediately after the closing or at the date set in the closing documents.

STEP 10: MOVE IN

Depending on how far you’re moving or how much stuff you have, you may require a moving company or a moving truck. Professional movers may seem pricey at first but when you look at the time and money to get similar results, you may re-consider. Call and set your moving date and start packing! Many places like U-HAUL sell moving boxes that are made to make your move easier. Label everything with what is inside it and what room it goes in. Recruit friends and family if needed.

BONUS BUYER TIPS

TIP #1

Buy when the market is low and in the season when moving is the most common for your area.


TIP #2

Ask for a Home Warranty to cover any major problems that might pop up after the sale like broken appliances or home systems.


TIP #3

Plan ahead by researching local movers and asking how much time in advance they need to be notified and how booked up they are now.


TIP #4

Start packing early. Pack away things you can live without and label boxes with what is inside and what room they go in.


See what our clients are saying:

Average Rating 5 out of 5 stars

A. Buchanan

BEST AGENT I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH

Debe Maxwell was the best agent I have ever dealt with. Having moved about sixteen times over the last fifty something years, I appreciate great agents and know which ones are great and which ones are not. I would recommend her to anyone who needs a hard worker. Thank you Debe.

The Bowmans

AMAZING!

The whole team is amazing. They go above and beyond and get things done. Thanks for being so through and detailed. We can’t thank you enough.

Jody and Sandy Lorick

Jody and Sandy Lorick @ 08/21/2019 11:41

Debe and Scott were a huge help while we were making a move from Greenville, SC to the Fort Mill, SC area. Always available and ready to show us homes that met our criteria, very knowledgeable about all aspects of home buying and home availability in this area and they made sure every detail was taken care of for the closing. They helped us find our new home! I highly recommend The Maxwell House Group!

Ron and Stephanie Grim

Ron and Stephanie Grim @ 07/28/2019 12:30

When we relocated to Charlotte in 2012, Debe was recommended to us. She has now helped us purchase two homes and sell one too!! Debe has the perfect mix of everything you want in an agent: strong communication skills, great marketing sense, strong negotiating skills and a true passion for what she does. If you are looking for an agent that will partner with you, we highly recommend Debe.

Pam

Pam @ 04/11/2018 06:31

Debe and Scott were a huge help professionally and emotionally while I was making a choice to move to Charlotte from the Pittsburgh area. Scott made sure I was aware of the condos/town homes that met my requirements and Debe made sure every detail was taken care of for the closing. They helped make a big decision to move to Charlotte happen!! I would highly recommend The Maxwell House Group.

Sheila Roberts

Sheila Roberts @ 04/10/2019 06:20

I recently purchased a condo in Charlotte…my first-ever purchase of real estate on my own, which was really scary, but Debe was such a great source of encouragement and so knowledgeable about the whole process that it turned out to be a great, happy experience instead of a scary one! I will definitely choose her as my Realtor when I make future real estate purchases!

Caitlin and Connor

Caitlin and Connor @ 10/21/2017 02:18

Debe and her team were a JOY to work with. This was our first time purchasing a home so we needed someone that was prompt, knowledgeable, professional and kind and The Maxwell House Group was all of that and more. We would highly recommend them to anyone in the buying or selling process. During what can be a very stressful time, Debe and Scott made the process seem stress-free and we can’t thank them enough for helping us find our dream home. Because of them and their hard work we couldn’t be happier with our first home!!