1. Determine why you want to buy a home and what your motivation is.
2. Work with a loan officer to help determine what you can afford and to get pre-approved for a loan. Often realtors can refer you to a loan officer, but you can also find you own. Loan officers will go over several different loan options and can help you pick the best loan for you.
3. Find a realtor to help you find the right home. Make sure you use a realtor and not just a real estate agent. Realtors are members of the national association of realtors and they have full access to all homes listed on the multiple listing service (MLS). Realtors also have high ethical standards they must adhere to in order to maintain Realtor status.
Your realtor will save you time, money, and will negotiate on your behalf. Your Realtor works for you and is paid by the seller.
4. Give your realtor your pre-approval letter and let him/her know exactly what you are looking for and what area you want to live in. Your realtor will send you options within your price range and when you find some that you like your realtor will schedule a viewing. You can also find homes on your own at www.MNfamilyhomes.com
5. When you find the right home then its time to make an offer! You decide the terms of the offer, but listen to your realtor's feedback because they know the market. Realtors have access to tons of helpful market information and can help you determine an offer price that will be accepted while saving you money!
6. You will need to get a home inspection and your realtor can refer one to you or you can use your own. The inspector will look at the entire home and report any problems back to you. This process will give you peace of mind at the very least or could save you from making a financial mistake.
7. Once your offer is accepted you will have to close on your home. It takes some time to get to closing, because a lot of research is being completed behind the scenes to make sure your new home is free and clear. You will pay closing costs and your realtor can give you an estimate of how much this will cost you.
8. You get the keys and can move in! Congratulations!
Please go to www.MNfamilyhomes.com and find your next home!
