Are you thinking of buying a home in Seattle? If so, you’ll want to follow these nine easy steps to ensure a smooth and successful purchase.
From getting pre-approved for a mortgage to closing on the sale, we’ve got you covered.
Buying a home can be tricky, but with the right information and preparation, you can make it as smooth and successful as possible. In this post, we’ll walk you through ten essential steps to take before buying a home in Seattle.
1. Figure out your budget – how much can you afford to spend on your monthly payment, and how much for down payment?
It’s important to have a realistic idea of what you can afford before you start looking for homes. This means knowing your monthly budget as well as your down payment amount. Your down payment will typically be anywhere from 3-20% of the purchase price of the home, so make sure you save up enough money to cover it.
If you’re looking to get down payment assistance from the state click here to see how much you’re eligible for.
2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage – seller will never look at your offer without a pre-approval and will help you avoid any surprises during the mortgage approval process.
Anyone who has ever gone through the process of buying a home knows that it can be a long and complicated process.
One of the most important steps in the process is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves working with a mortgage lender to get an estimate of how much money you’ll be able to borrow.
There are several benefits to getting pre-approved for a mortgage. By getting an early estimate of how much money you’ll be able to borrow, you can avoid any last-minute hurdles that could delay or even derail your home purchase. So if you’re thinking about buying a home, be sure to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.
3. Research different neighborhoods in Seattle – each neighborhood has its own unique vibe and housing market, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs and budget.
When you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s important to research different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe and housing market. So it’s important to find one that fits your needs and budget. For example, if you’re looking for a more affordable neighborhood, you might want to consider areas like South Park or White Center. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more upscale neighborhood, you might want to look at areas like Queen Anne or Magnolia.
4. Find a real estate agent – a good agent will help guide you through the process of buying a home and can be a valuable resource when it comes to negotiating the purchase price.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s a good idea to find a real estate agent. The purchasing process can be complicated, so it’s helpful to have someone who knows the ins and outs and can help make the process as smooth as possible.
5. Start your home search – you can use your agent’s site or websites and apps like Zillow, Redfin, or Trulia to find homes that fit your budget and needs.
Once you’ve figured out your budget, gotten pre-approved for a mortgage, and found a real estate agent, you’re ready to start your home search.
All the various websites are basically using the same information so use the one you’re most comfortable with.
The apps are a great way to browse listings and get an idea of what’s out there. But remember, the listings you see online are just a starting point. Once you find a few homes that you’re interested in, your real estate agent will help you set up appointments to see them in person.
6. Go on home tours – this is your chance to see the homes you’re interested in and get a feel for the layout, size, and condition of each one.
Home tours are an important part of the home-buying process. It’s your opportunity to ask the real estate agent any questions you might have about the property. After you’ve been on a few home tours, you’ll start to get a better sense of which homes are the right fit for you.
7. Make an offer – your real estate agent will help you submit an offer that includes the purchase price, any contingencies (like a home inspection), and any earnest money deposit.
Once you’ve found the perfect home, it’s time to make an offer. The seller will then review your offer and decide whether to accept it, reject it, or counter it. If your offer is accepted, the next step is to enter into escrow.
8. Enter into escrow – this is when the buyers and sellers formalize the sale agreement and all of the necessary paperwork is completed.
Entering into escrow is the next step after your offer has been accepted. Once everything is finalized, the buyers will provide the required down payment and the escrow company will hold onto it until closing.
The escrow company will hold the earnest money and collect all the appropriate paperwork as your lender works in the background to finance your loan. Typically you will be in escrow for about 30 days.
9. Close on the sale – this is when the buyers and sellers sign all of the necessary paperwork and the transaction is finalized.
Closing on the sale is the final step in buying a home. Once everything is signed, the keys will be handed over to the buyers and they’ll officially be homeowners!
Buying a home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. By following these simple steps, you can make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you’d like to get more information join me at one of our free home buyer webinars – check them out here.