Home Purchase Process For First Time Buyers

Are you looking to buy your first home? Well look no further, because I’m here to walk you through the entire process!

Step 1: Determine if you are ready to purchase a house. This is something that only YOU can decide, however, here are two key points to keep in mind:

-          Why do you want to buy a house? Are you looking for a faster commute? Somewhere to plant your roots or start a family? These questions will also help you to narrow down specifics such as location, neighborhood, home style, etc.

-          Are you financially ready? This requires a decent credit score, a good bill payment history, a low debt-to-income ratio and money saved up for a down payment. Zillow and NerdWallet offer two basic affordability calculators, which will give you a good idea. For an exact estimate, give me a call! I can help. Low credit score? I can help with that too.

Step 2: Once you’ve determined that you’re ready, you’ll want a realtor. It’s important to find someone that you’re comfortable with and who you can trust. We have plenty of great realtors that we can recommend, so don’t be afraid to reach out!

Step 3: You will need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. That’s where I come into play! Most sellers in the Atlanta area require this, so give me a call today. I will be happy to walk you through the entire process.

Step 4: Look at homes. This is when you will start spending a lot of time with your realtor, which is why it is important to work with someone you trust. They will help you to find your dream home!

Step 5: Choose a home. Make sure to choose a house within your budget and desired location. Please note that people often have to make compromises during this process, such as a townhome versus a single-family home, the condition of the home itself, etc. Just make sure that you’re still extremely happy with your choice, as you will most likely live here for the next 3-5 years at least.

Step 6: Obtain your loan. This is where I come back into the picture. My team and I are dedicated to helping you every step of the way!

Step 7: Make an offer. Your realtor will be a great help during this step. Please keep in mind that you may need to make an offer slightly above asking price if the house is in a high-demand area.

Step 8: Buy home insurance. Typically, this is required and it is also something that I (your lender) will help you with. Options include:

-          Title Insurance

-          Homeowners Insurance

-          Flood Insurance

-          Home Warranties

Step 9: Closing. This is when everything becomes finalized and the house is officially yours! Final payments are made, paperwork is proofread and turned in, deeds and other documents are prepared, etc. You may want to walk through the home one last time to make sure that there were no additional material changes you were unaware of.

Step 10: Move in! The last and most exciting step. All that’s left is for you to move in and make your new house a home.

Let me help you to reach step 10! Give me a call today at 770-824-9777 or email me at skatz@vandykmortgage.com