Selling in Northeast Ohio? Free home value report right here
As the spring real estate season quickly approaches, we thought now would be a great time to answer the question: "How do I know if I am ready to buy a home?" Many buyers and sellers start to flood the Brunswick market during this time, so being prepared is very important if you want to accomplish your real estate goals.
Before you begin the buying process, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I have a steady source of income?
- Have I been employed on a regular basis over the last 2-3 years?
- Is my income reliable?
- Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
- Do I have a few outstanding long-term debts?
- Do I have money saved for a down payment?
- Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage?
Once you've answered these questions and determined if you are ready to buy a home, where do you begin?
Well, the first step is to get pre-approved by a lender. After that is done, you can then contact a local real estate professional to get an evaluation on your current home. Next, sit down with a buyer specialist to go over the entire process and discuss your needs and priorities regarding the home you are looking to purchase.
Once you've begun the search, how many homes should you look at before choosing one? It really depends on the results of your needs analysis, as determined during our buyer consultation. Once you find a home, you will need to obtain homeowners insurance. Since purchasing a home is a huge investment, you want to protect your assets by purchasing insurance. Trust us, it's more than worth it!
When making an offer, you will be assisted by your buyer's specialist. You will complete a purchase contract, which includes the amount for the earnest-money deposit, the proposed move-in date, the price you're offering, the proposed closing date, the length of time the offer is valid, and details of the deal. The sale commitment depends on negotiating a satisfactory contract with the seller, not just making an offer.
There are many different types of loans available that you can choose from when purchasing a home. USDA, FHA, VA, and conventional home loans each offer different advantages, and there are many mortgage packages available for first-time buyers as well. If you have any questions, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to hear from you and help you take advantage of some of these fantastic opportunities!
