Congratulations on the first step of buying a home! As an experienced real estate agent, I can assist you through the entire process, starting with the mortgage and continuing through the closing. I will help you shop for the best interest rate and terms, and if you wish, I can also suggest mortgage lenders.

Here’s a useful list of tips to consider when purchasing a home

Get copies of your credit report. If need be, clean it up. The higher your credit score, the better your loan interest rate. The three major credit reporting companies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

Determine your price range

Find a lender or I can recommend trusted lenders.

Research, figure out where you want to live. Do you have children? Consider what school district you’re home will fall into. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Would you prefer a newer home or an older one with established landscaping?

When you’ve identified the home you want to buy, I’m ready to prepare a written offer. Since I’m familiar with market value, I’ll help you arrive at a price that gives your offer the best chance of being accepted. Also, be prepared to negotiate, your first offer might not get accepted.

Have backup homes in mind in case your offer isn’t accepted.

Once Your Offer Is Accepted

After your offer is accepted, you’ll have a grace period (varies depending on your state) to get the house professionally inspected. This is the times to request repairs or submit a counteroffer if need be. The next step is to verify that the terms and conditions on your loan are accurate. Also, we’ll go over your signing papers.

Moving time

Now that you’ve obtained your home, you’ll need to get homeowners insurance. The next step is moving arrangements. If you plan on hiring a professional mover, schedule accordingly. I can also suggest reputable companies. Don’t forget to submit a change of address form and contact the local utility companies.