Home Buying Guide
Thinking about purchasing a home in Central Florida? Learn the process and expectations that will help you with your home purchase goals!
Step 1: Is now the right time to buy?
The question of timing is an important aspect of your real estate purchase. Many factors play a role in this decision including:
Financial Stability – Can you afford a monthly mortgage payment? Have you had consistent employment over the last two years? Have you saved money for a down payment and closing costs? Are you currently renting and looking to purchase?
These are all important questions to begin asking yourself on the journey to homeownership.
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Once you have reviewed the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a home the next most important step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
To be pre-approved for a mortgage means that you have provided a bank or lender documentation and through their analysis of your financial history they have determined you would be a suitable candidate for a mortgage. This does not mean you are approved for a loan but it is the first step to determining what your financial outlook is and how much you could afford as you look to purchase a home.
A pre-approval is generally requested by sellers agents for any offers put in for a home.
Click here for more information on the pre-approval process, different types of financing, and general lending information.
Step 3: Find Your Dream Home
Once you have your pre-approval we can now begin working on a search for your dream home. Things to consider are:
What kind of home do you want? (Single Family home, Townhouse, Condo?)
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
What aspects are most important to you? The typical items most important to home buyers are Location, Price, Features of the home/community, the Timing.
Click here for more information on searching for your dream home.
Step 4: Going Under Contract
Once you have found your home and your offer is accepted you are now under contract. Once under contract, many actions occur:
- Escrow Deposits
- Home Inspections
- Reviewing Property Disclosures
- Ordering the Appraisal
- Securing Financing
- Survey of the Home
- Title Work
Click here for detailed information on the under contract process, timing, and your responsibilities as a buyer.
Step 5: Closing!
Once your loan is approved, title work, and the property steps have been completed you are getting ready to close. Closing encompasses:
The final walkthrough
Scheduling Utility start date
Scheduling the move
Paying final down payment and closing costs
Signing home purchase documents
Getting your keys to your new home!
Click to learn more about the closing process
Step 6: After Closing
Closing only begins your home purchase journey. Things completed after closing include:
Changing over your license
Filing for Homestead Exemption
Turning Water Service on at your Property
Moving
Click here to learn more.