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Real Estate Home Buyers Guide

 

buying in VancouverHave you decided to buy your first home? Congratulations!

 

Are you wondering how to buy a home?
If you are not familiar with the real estate industry, you may be feeling a little confused and intimidated right now. That is completely normal. Everyone gets a little nervous when the do something they have not done before, and when you add in the fact that purchasing a home is often the largest investment an individual can make in his lifetime, who wouldn’t be a little nervous—or even scared?

 

In hopes of helping you, we have put together a first time home buyers guide that briefly goes over certain aspects of the home buying process. Of course, a qualified real estate agent can answer any questions you have more thoroughly than this home buying guide, but this is a good place to begin.

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How to Buy a Home:

A First Time Home Buyers Guide

 

home buyers guide
The Prequalification: It’s best to go to a lender before you begin looking for a home and ask for a prequalification or preapproval letter. This allows you to know exactly how much you can afford to spend on your new home. It also shows that you are serious about buying a home. The process is much like the home loan approval process and you will need the same documents.

 

The Consultation: Once you have your prequalification letter, it is time to meet with your agent. In this phase of the process, you and your agent will go over exactly what you are looking for in your new home.

 

The Search: Your agent will supply you with a list of homes that meet your criteria, and together, you will visit and tour these homes until you find the perfect one.

 

Making an Offer: Once you find your ideal home, you will then make an offer to the sellers. Your agent draws up a contract and presents it to the seller or the seller’s agent.

 

Negotiation: The seller might not accept your initial offer, and they will counter with another offer. This is when your agent will use her skills as a negotiator to get you your home at the best possible price.

 

Closing the Deal: Once an offer is accepted, it is time to go to closing. This normally takes place in the presence of an attorney, and it is where all the documents are signed and the transfer of ownership occurs. After closing, the house is yours.

 

As you can see, the process is relatively simple, and this home buyers guide only briefly touches on the highlights of the process. There is more to how to buy a home than just a simple written guide, and the services of a qualified real estate agent are indispensable.