California Home Inspection Company on Buying a Home in 10 Steps

 

10 Steps to Buying a Home from Credit to Home Inspection to Move-In

When you finally make the decision to purchase a home, you are embarking upon one of life’s great adventures. Although the process can be time-consuming and stressful, it becomes easier if you are aware of what to expect. Here is a helpful 10-step guide to locating and buying your new home.

  1. Assess Your Financial Situation
    The first step is to figure out your prospective home’s maximum price. To calculate the monthly mortgage payments you feel comfortable making, assess your annual income, monthly debts, and the amount you have saved for a down payment. There are software programs that can assist you with this.
  1. Find Out Your Credit Score
    Prior to approaching a lender, obtain your current credit report. If your credit score is high, the interest rates on your mortgage will be lower. If you have been contemplating buying a home for some time, you should have boosted your credit score by paying bills on time, keeping debt to a minimum, and maintaining a steady reliable credit history.
  1. Obtain Pre-approval from a Lender
    With your credit information and documents verifying your financial situation, get preapproval for a loan of a specific amount from a lender.This will give you an idea of which homes are in your price range.
  1. Locate an Agent
    To find a qualified real estate agent to work with, get referrals, conduct an online search, and read reviews that other clients have written. Before you finalize your selection, meet with several agents face-to-face to be sure you choose one with whom you can work well with.
  1. Conduct Your Home Search
    Have a discussion with your agent to narrow down what you are looking for in terms of price, location, and amenities. Peruse listings online, and tour homes that your agent suggests. As you visit and evaluate possibilities, you’ll get closer and closer to what you want and need.
  1. Submit an Offer to the Seller
    Your real estate agent will help you prepare an offer to present to the seller. The seller may then propose a counteroffer. This may go back and forth until you agree on a price and terms that are amenable to both of you.
  1. Have the Home Inspected
    Before you finalize with the seller, a home inspection is crucial. Every home has defects, and some are unimportant. However, some issues are serious and can even be deal-breakers. For instance, a roof inspection assesses the materials, drainage system, flashing, chimneys, and other points of penetration. Damaged roofs can be expensive to repair. A termite inspection enables you to find out whether the house is infested with pests that feed on the wood that supports the house.
  1. Close the Deal
    Once the home has been inspected and you and the seller have agreed on terms, it’s time for closing day. Be prepared to read and sign a lot of documents.
  1. See to Utilities and Insurance
    Obtain homeowner’s insurance, which will be one of your lender’s requirements. Additionally, be sure that you have established accounts with utilities companies. You might also consider buying a home warranty.
  1. Move In
    You will receive the key from either escrow or your agent. This is the fun part, you get to move into your new home!

HomeGuard Provides Home Inspections, Roof Inspections and Termite Inspections in California

HomeGuard offers fast, affordable home inspection services including roof inspection and termite inspection in addition to Natural Hazard Disclosures. Our friendly service, flexible scheduling and great pricing as well as trained and certified inspectors positioned throughout Northern and Southern California make us a great choice for all your home inspection needs. Call (855) 331-1900 or order an inspection online today.