Buyers
Preparing to purchase a home can be both exciting and overwhelming. If you're ready to take the first steps in your upcoming home buying journey, here’s a look at what to expect along the way.Need some expert advice? Hansley Realty is here to help!Reach out to one of our Real Estate experts and start your home search today!
Ready to purchase your next home? Here's how to get started!
Find an Agent.
Whether you’re buying this month or later this year, identifying and partnering with a trusted real estate advisor is the key to success. A great agent will be with you every step of the way from the initial financing and pre-approval processes, through your home search, contract period, closing day and beyond.
At Hansley Realty our goal is to empower our buyers through knowledge and education to help them make the best decisions possible as they prepare to purchase their next home. Here is how we plan to do that.
Check your Credit Score.
Whether you’re buying this month or later this year, identifying and partnering with a trusted real estate advisor is the key to success. A great agent will be with you every step of the way from the initial financing and pre-approval processes, through your home search, contract period, closing day and beyond.
At Hansley Realty our goal is to empower our buyers through knowledge and education to help them make the best decisions possible as they prepare to purchase their next home. Here is how we plan to do that.
Why
Key information in knowing if you can obtain a mortgage, will tell you your credit blemishes and will give you an opportunity to make corrections or get prepared to purchase down the road.
When
If you’re thinking of buying in the next 6 months, get a credit check now so that you have ample time to work to improve your score to the levels that will benefit you as you begin the mortgage qualification process.
How
Always use a trusted financial institution to run a credit check. Many banks can help you with this process and can provide information and resources to work to improve your score in the coming months.
Clean up any credit blemishes.
Blemishes are inaccurate information that may populate on your credit report. This can include information that doesn’t belong to you, items that should reflect a zero balance but don't, reporting late payments that we’re not late or have been resolved, etc.
You can work directly with the credit reporting bureau to resolve these issues. Be sure to document the processes and resolution confirmations for your records, so you have it on file as you begin the mortgage application process.
Figure out how much home you can afford.
Talk with a mortgage broker to determine how much home you can actually afford. They will review your income, assets, and credit and determine how much you can afford. It’s important to start your search with realistic expectations and to ensure that you consider the true cost of the home you are preparing to purchase. This includes factoring in additional costs such as:
- Property taxes and insurance
- Any mortgage insurance premiums
- Utility and Maintenance Costs
- Monthly or Quarterly HOA fees
- Cost of home upgrades and repairs to complete before move-in
Shop for a Mortgage Lender.
As you’re preparing to purchase your next home, it’s important to identify a trusted mortgage broker. A broker is different than a lender and will be able to help you weigh various options to secure the best rate and lending institution for you.
When choosing a lender presented by your broker, consider more than just the rate. Try answering these questions:
- Is this person available to answer my questions throughout the process?
- Do I have a referral or reference from a past client?
- What resources do they have at their disposal to aid you in identifying all possible solutions for your mortgage needs?
- Can they meet the time constraints of your specific purchase?
Secure Mortgage pre-approval.
A pre-approval from a mortgage lender is a written letter that states you have been pre-approved to purchase a home at or below a certain price point. This letter will be needed when you put in an offer on a property and will serve as proof of financing on your potential home purchase.
In today’s competitive market, obtaining pre-approval before you begin your home search allows us to expedite the process of making an offer and show the sellers that your offer is serious and you have the financial buying power to close the deal.
Save for a Down Payment.
If a home purchase is on your radar, it’s never too early to talk to your Mortgage Broker about the various financing options available to you. This will allow you to create a savings plan to ensure you have the required funds to make your down payment and cover the other costs associated with your upcoming home purchase.
There are many great resources out there that offer tips for cutting back spending and optimizing savings plans to build your nest egg. Find a plan that works for you, stick to it and you’ll be one step closer to closing on your dream home!
Sit tight!
House hunting and planning for your future can be exciting, but it’s important to do everything you can to protect your credit! While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning for your new home, in order to protect your pre-approved financing you will want to avoid these tasks in the months leading up to your new home purchase:
- Opening new lines of credit
- Making large purchases (cars, appliances, furniture, etc)
- Changing jobs without notifying your agent or lender so that they are able to adjust accordingly
Start your Search
Once the pre-approval process is complete, the fun begins! It’s time to identify your needs, begin reviewing available properties and scheduling showings.
Market Research.
If a home purchase is on your radar, it’s never too early to talk to your Mortgage Broker about the various financing options available to you. This will allow you to create a savings plan to ensure you have the required funds to make your down payment and cover the other costs associated with your upcoming home purchase.
There are many great resources out there that offer tips for cutting back spending and optimizing savings plans to build your nest egg. Find a plan that works for you, stick to it and you’ll be one step closer to closing on your dream home!
House Hunting.
We want to ensure that your home “ticks all the boxes” on your wants and needs list, which is why we take the time to get to know you and find homes that meet the specific needs of your family, no matter what phase of life you’re in. Purchasing a new home is one of the largest financial commitments you can make and our goal is to help you find your perfect fit.
Once the market research and “must-have” lists are complete, the fun can begin! We’re here to guide you in narrowing down your search from the large selection of online properties, to a manageable list of “must-see” homes we can visit during showings. Once you’re ready to take the next steps, our agents are here to answer your questions so that you are confident in making an offer.
Contract Negotiations.
Once you make an offer, we advocate for your best interest throughout contract negotiations and are here to answer questions during inspections, mortgage qualification and throughout the due diligence and under contract periods.
This phase of the transaction involves several moving parts and our goal is to keep everything organized and moving forward so you can focus on preparing for closing day and your upcoming transition into a new home!
Closing.
Prior to closing day, we will attend your final walk through with you and ensure everything is in order for closing. We will be with you at the closing table to make sure your questions are answered and to celebrate this exciting milestone for you and your family. Once you close on your home, we look forward to maintaining our relationship with you, throughout your time in Charlotte! We hope you'll continue to use Hansley Realty as your resource for all things Real Estate in the Charlotte area.