Buyer's Guide
Understanding the Home Purchase Process
Without question, buying a home is a life-altering decision; therefore, enlisting the expertise of a NV Realty Group agent is imperative. We excel at helping buyers find the perfect property! Whether a new primary home, secondary vacation home, rental property, or vacant land on which to build that dream home, we ensure the process is both easy and enjoyable. As experts in real estate, we understand the local housing market, listen to your concerns and desires, and are able to advantageously maximize your budget.
Define Goals
As simple as it sounds, identify the reasons you are buying a new home. Do you need more square footage? Do you desire a larger yard? Do you want to transfer to a different school zone for your children? Or, are you relocating to a different region or state altogether? Next, sequentially organize the importance of price, proximity, and property. Often buyers may find a house they love in their price range but not in the desired neighborhood. Recognizing that you may not be able to secure all three, prioritize the importance of location, house structure and lot size, and price point. Finally, separate the “must-have” features from the “like-to-have” features. Once you have made these determinations, you will be in a better position to research housing and mortgage options. However, do not worry about trying to figure everything out on your own. An experienced NV Realty Group professional will create an action plan, draw out a realistic timeline, and guide you every step of the way.
Secure Finances
NV Realty Group recommends and strongly encourages buyers to get pre-qualified for a home loan prior to viewing properties. The pre-approval process involves meeting with mortgage lenders and giving them authorization to examine your current financial situation and review your credit history. Based on this examination, the lender will provide you with a pre-qualification letter that details how much the bank is willing to lend you to buy a home. The pre-qualification letter is important because it narrows the home search to fit within your price range, and it increases your negotiation power because sellers know that you are a serious buyer who can close quickly.
Tour Properties
After defining goals and securing a pre-qualification letter, you are ready to view real estate. Start your search online with NV Realty Group's top-ranked website, which showcases all current homes for sale as well as pertinent information about each property including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, year built, interior features, exterior features, community amenities, and the list price. From the website, you have the ability to search for available homes located in your desired city and neighborhood. After finding suitable properties online, your NV Realty Group agent will schedule appointments to visit selected homes. Keep in mind that your NV Realty Group professional will also compile a separate list of homes that meet your criteria and include them on the schedule. Often, agents are privy to homes not yet listed on the market or ones that are more attractive in person than the online pictures suggest.
Schedule Inspections & Finalize Finances
During your due diligence period, your NV Realty Group representative will assist you with scheduling necessary home inspections. Should complications or stipulations arise from the home inspection, your agent will negotiate terms on your behalf. If satisfied, you will then enlist a title company and attorney as required by jurisdiction, and pay the earnest money as dictated in the contract. Generally, the due diligence period is 30 days, so scheduling the inspections, meeting with a real estate attorney, and delivering earnest money is of primary importance.
Also during this time frame, you will need to finalize the terms of your mortgage. Make sure you are comfortable with the down payment, interest rate, payment schedule, and financial conditions associated with the closing costs. If you are pre-qualified with a lender, this is a relatively straightforward matter centering on loan details and signing mortgage papers
Close the Deal
Prior to the closing date, you will have the opportunity for a final walkthrough of the home to make sure the home is clean and vacant. Any repairs described in the contract should be complete by this time, and the home should be in the same condition or better from when you originally signed the sales agreement. On the day of closing, your real estate agent will meet you and your attorney at either the attorney’s office or at the office of the mortgage lender. The settlement will include paying closing costs, legal fees, property adjustments, and transfer taxes. At this point, the deed is officially transferred from the seller to you, the buyer. You will receive the property title, copies of documentation relative to the purchase, and - of course - the keys to your new home!
Please fill out the form below and one of our qualified agents will be in contact to help you get started on your home search.
*Your information will never be shared with any third party.