Becoming a homeowner is a milestone moment in your life. Many people work hard with the dream of one day owning a home of their own. When you reach a position where buying your own home is possible, you are likely to feel excited but also a little unsure about the process. Understanding how the home buying process works and precisely what is involved is really helpful. When you know exactly what to expect from buying a home and what you need to do at each stage, it takes a lot of the anxiety out of the process and leaves you free to enjoy this exciting time in your life.
If you are planning to buy a home, you should find this handy checklist that provides you with plenty of helpful information.
Decide What You Need From Your New Home
One of the first things you need to do when deciding to buy a home is to consider what you want and need from your new property. Buying real estate is a big commitment, and you need to be sure that your new house will provide everything you need. When you have been waiting to get onto the property ladder for a while, it can be tempting to buy the first house you see. But, it is better to plan what you want from your new home so that you can be sure you are purchasing the right place and don’t lose money on your purchase. When buying your house, one of the factors to consider includes the number of bedrooms and baths you need; it is also crucial to decide on the type of property you want, whether you hope to buy an apartment or a townhouse, a single-family home, or a multi-family home. Buying a new construction helps you to have a larger input into the home’s finish in comparison with buying a resale property.
Arrange Your Financing
Arranging your finances is crucial and often one of the things people worry about the most when buying a house. Shopping around to find the best mortgage is essential to ensure that you don’t end up on a bad deal. There is lots to think about when arranging your finances, so it is helpful to get yourself as prepared as possible when you meet with potential lenders. Individual lenders will let you know their requirements, but generally speaking, you will need to provide the following:
Your annual income
Your savings
The amount of money you have available for a downpayment
The amount of debt that you currently have
The lender will take time to assess the information you provide and will also carry out further checks, such as looking at your credit score. Carrying out these checks helps them to decide whether you are a reliable candidate for a home loan and how likely you are to pay back your mortgage. If you are approved for a mortgage, the lender will tell you how much they are prepared to offer you and the size of the downpayment you will need. You may find that the lender is prepared to offer you less than you hoped, so you may need to reassess your plans or to check with another lender to see if they can offer a different amount. Even if your lender offers you more than you hoped, you do not need to spend up to this amount. Instead, it would be best to think about which amount is affordable for you and how much you can afford to make in mortgage payments. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of the interest rate rising in the future and how this could impact your repayment amounts.
Find Your Perfect Location
When buying real estate, location matters a lot. Your choice of location can impact your quality of life, your enjoyment of your new home, and how convenient it is to reach the places you need to go. For potential homebuyers with kids, finding a property close to good schools and in a safe neighborhood is a significant priority. But, for a young professional, the local nightlife and commuter times may be more of a concern. Whatever your preferred location, it is essential that you keep it in mind when hunting for houses.
Find the Right Builder
Choosing the right home builder for your new home is essential to ensure that your property fulfills your needs and meets your expectations. You may find that there are plenty of new developments available in your chosen location, so you will need to carry out a little research to select the best option. Don’t forget to check the builder is reputable and has had great feedback from past homebuyers to ensure you get the best service.
Select Your Lot
Once you have found the best builder and the right development, it is time to start thinking about selecting a lot. When choosing a lot, you may want to think about the size of the land, how it is positioned (does it get a good amount of sun, are there large trees nearby, will the lot be overlooked?), and whether it is sloped or on even ground. Thinking about which of these matters to you will ensure that you pick the right lot for your new home.
Sign the Contract
Once you have picked a lot, the builder will talk you through the different finishes available for the property so that your new home suits your tastes. Once you have agreed on all the details and have settled on the purchase price for your new property, it is time to sign the contracts. It is always wise to have a professional read over the contract so you understand precisely what you are signing and to get a home inspection carried out before signing on the dotted line.
With all of these stages complete, you should be almost ready to move into your brand new home and to start settling down to life as a new homeowner.