Seven Tips to Make Buying a House Easier
Purchasing a home is in the top five most stressful events. Buying a house can be a complicated process but there are ways to make the process easier. Here are seven things you can do to simplify the process of purchasing a home.
1. Get your paperwork in order
Getting your paperwork in order such as two years’ worth of tax returns, current pay stubs, bank statements for the last three months, cancelled rent checks, or copies of your lease for a loan application is one of the first steps. You will need to be pre-approved for a specific amount. This will help you with how much you can afford on a house. Realtors and sellers both want to see a pre-approval letter that lets them know you can afford the home and you are a serious buyer.
2. Find a real estate agent you can trust
Finding the right sales agent is a very important step in the process of purchasing a home. Before choosing, interview at least three real estate agents. You will not only want to have a good rapport with an agent, but you will want to make sure they are well-rounded in the community you are looking to purchase a home in. You will want to choose an agent with the best track record of sales in your area, the best online or personal recommendations, and the one you like best. Staging, keeping a home show-ready, and listening to tactfully delivered feedback from people who’ve viewed your home means you’re going to be interacting with your agent a lot.
3. Start researching banks, credit unions, and loan officers
Just like choosing the right real estate agent, choosing the right place to apply for a loan for your home is just as important. There are many types of loans and different institutions to choose from. Sometimes it might seem best to use a bank or credit union, but this is not always the case. Many times the banks and credit unions have vested interest and might push you to use certain Realtors, attorneys and home inspectors because they receive a portion of the commissions.
4. Get your financing in order
After you have chosen your mortgage lender, you will need to get pre-approved. As mentioned earlier, you will need to have your paperwork in order along with your finances. The pre-approval letter is your ticket to let sellers know you are a serious buyer who can afford their home.
5. Find a home inspector you can trust
A home inspector is a key factor in the success of your home purchase. You want to choose an inspector you can trust who is looking out for your best interest. In an older home, a trustworthy inspector will point out areas of concern such as problems with termites, water seepage, or shoddy construction. Find an inspector who would not mind if you tag along during the inspection. This is a good time to ask questions and get their advice.
6. Consider investing in title insurance
Purchasing title insurance is a safety net against anything that could pop up on the property such as a lien. Title insurance cost from $1,000 and $3,000 on average, or .05 percent of the purchase price and is worth the cost. In many cases, mortgage lenders will require you to get title insurance.
7. Get your tradespeople lined up
Renovations or repairs are a big part of homeownership. Have tradespeople lined up so that when something does go wrong, you can call on the spot. It is important to make sure they are reliable and honest. Ask around at places such as an independent home supplier. An independent home supplier will usually have the low down on who does sloppy work and who does good work.
Remember never try to purchase a home on your own. Follow these steps to simplify your home buying process. A local real estate agent can guide you through the process.