Hey you!
Do you remember learning about buying a home in school?
Nope? Me neither.
Like all solid real-world knowledge, our real estate educations are typically obtained on the fly. We learn as we go, as things break, as life changes. If you’re keeping track, go ahead and add real estate to the list of things they don’t teach you in school. Doesn’t everyone have a running list of these things? It’s right next to the list of things you learn in school, but will never think about again in your adult life. It’s funny if you really think about it. Our homes are such a vibrant part of our lives from the day we’re born, but we really aren’t taught anything about buying, selling, or even maintaining our sacred space.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Here’s how it typically works –
- Decide to buy a house
- Call your friend, aunt, sister who has their real estate license
- Start looking at houses
- Get pre-approved by the first person you can remember works at a bank
- Submit offer
- Sign contracts & conduct inspections
- Close on the house of your dreams
Here’s how it really should work –
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Decide to buy a house
Okay, this one’s the same. We gotta start somewhere!
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Call your friend, aunt, sister who has their real estate license
Maybe, maybe not! If you think you’re going to buy a house in the next 3 years or so, go ahead and research local real estate professionals, start following their online offerings to obtain some education and see if you’d be a good fit, and reach out to set up an initial buyer consultation – most professionals are happy to (and may even insist) on doing this step, for free!
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Start looking at houses
Oops not quite. This step should actually be a variation of step #4 above: Get pre-approved! Though it shouldn’t necessarily be with the first person you can remember who works at a bank… Not all banks or lenders are created equally. They have different loan options, different borrowing rates and most definitely different levels of service. Do your research here too, and find a lender that fits well with you! (Pro tip: we’ve got a couple we work with often that we can connect you with, directly!) This professional will be able to tell you if you’re pre-approved, and if so for how much! They’ll also help you navigate all the offerings available and determine the best fit for you!
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Now we start looking at houses!
YAY! Along the way, create your wish list. Get comfortable with your non-negotiables and preferences. Purchasing with a spouse? Make sure your lists align.
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Submit offer
You’ve found ‘the one’! Congrats! Now it’s time to put an offer together. You’re trusted agent will be able to share comparable sale data and help you put together a competitive offer. He or she will also be able to walk you through the paperwork, ensuring you understand everything you’re signing on the offer paperwork and answer any questions you may have.
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Sign contracts & conduct inspections
This one’s still true, though there’s a bit more to it. That’s where you’re trusted agent comes to save the day. We’ll help you find an inspector, determine which inspections are most appropriate, negotiate desired inspection repairs on your behalf and so much more.
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Close on the house of your dreams
If all goes according to plan, yes, we reach this step at the end too. Happy day! But there are a few more people behind the scenes working tirelessly to ensure this all can happen – your lenders’ underwriters are vigorously ensuring everything is verified and appraisals are ordered, the title company is researching the title history of the home on your behalf and coordinating payoffs and utility transfers, and even our compliance department is triple checking our work to make sure your documents are complete and legitimate for all the records of your sale.
It is our primary focus to ensure every buyer feels educated and confident each step of the way. We want you to understand the paperwork, what’s next in the process, and even what you’re getting into with home maintenance! We’ll tell you all those things they don’t teach you in school 🙂
We’re just a call, text or email away!