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Guide to Buying a New Home
Buying a home is a very exciting time. It should be one of the most rewarding investments a person could make. Whether you have spent years planning and preparing to buy a home, or you are unsure if you can even afford a new home, the questions surrounding the home buying process can feel endless.
At Marlboro Realty, we help you find the answers to these never-ending questions and give peace of mind.
Here are several tips to help you become a homeowner:
Select a real estate professional.
The first step to finding your dream home is to select a real estate professional that you trust. Choosing a Realtor can help ensure that your new home meets your needs. The highly trained staff at Marlboro Realty can guide you through every step of the home buying process.
Shop for mortgage rates.
Even half a percentage point can make a considerable savings over the life of a loan.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.
You should get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan to see how much you can afford. Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new home, including your down payment. This will allow you to move quickly when you find the right home. Being pre-qualified also shows sellers that you are serious about buying a home.
Get an idea of what you want in a home.
Identify important features you need and want to have in your new home. It is also a good idea to search online to see what properties are currently available on the market that meets your criteria.
Visit properties.
Be sure to keep track of properties you have viewed. Eliminate any that clearly do not meet your criteria. Keep notes of the ones that you like to help narrow the fields.
Make an offer.
Once you have found your dream home, its time to make an offer to purchase. Your Realtor with help guide you through this process. You and the seller have different goals; rely on your Realtor to help both parties reach a favorable outcome.
Arrange for a home inspection.
Once your offer is accepted by the seller, make arrangements to do a home inspection. It is very common to find problems such as roof leaks, cracked walls, termite damage and foundation problems. Your Realtor can help you find inspectors and will negotiate to get you the most for your money once the inspection report is final. If repairs are negotiated as part of the purchase, ask for a final walk through before the closing date.
Close on the property.
Before the closing date, make sure you have completed a necessary paperwork with your mortgage broker, insurance carrier and any other paperwork required when buying a new home. Your Realtor will help you avoid any last minute details and complete a listing checklist.
Prepare for life in your new home.
Before moving in arrange to have the utilities turned on and your mailing address changed.
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