Every year, more than 5.34 million homes sell to new owners. No matter how experienced you are with the buying process, making sure you get everything done in the right order can be tough.
You need to which tasks are the most important to take care of and what order to take care of them in. So, where should you start?
Use this simple real estate buyer checklist to help you stay on track from the very beginning.
Work With a Real Estate Agent
The first thing you should do before you get started with the real estate buying process is to find a real estate agent you can trust. They’ll help you find the perfect house and can negotiate with sellers on your behalf. Your real estate agent can even recommend a good mortgage broker to help you finance your purchase quickly.
Use this to your advantage and let them guide you through the process. Just make sure to communicate your needs with them before you start looking at homes.
The clearer you can be about your budget and the types of things you’re looking for in a house, the easier it will be for them to find the perfect property.
Get Pre-Approved for a Loan
Most real estate sells quickly, and sellers always want to work with buyers that already have the financial means to buy the house in the first place. The easiest way to make your offer more competitive is to get pre-approved for a loan before you even start looking for homes for sale.
Once you’re pre-approved, you’ll be able to make an offer without having to worry about financing falling through at the last minute. This can make it easier to convince sellers to accept your offer over others and makes you more competitive.
Always Get a Home Inspection Before Closing
If the sellers accept your offer, you should always get the home inspected before you close on the property. This is true even if you’re waiving an inspection contingency with your offer.
According to top home inspectors, a basic inspection can give you a general idea of the condition of the house. Your inspector will be able to identify any major repairs that could threaten the integrity of your home or influence your decision to proceed with the purchase.
You can even use the results of your inspection to further negotiate the price down with the sellers.
Keep This Real Estate Buyer Checklist in Mind
Buying real estate is a big commitment, but buying a house you’ll turn into your dream home is one of the best investments you can make. Keep this real estate buyer checklist handy and you’ll be able to navigate the buying process with ease.
Just be willing to take your time when purchasing a home. The last thing you want to do is rush into a house you won’t love living in for years to come.
Looking for more insight into navigating the homebuying process? Check out our latest posts on homebuying and home improvement in the Real Estate section of our site.
