There are few things in life as rewarding and empowering as home ownership. One of the largest purchases you can make in a lifetime is a home.

It is my goal to get you through the home purchasing process from start to finish, and remain a reliable resource for you well after the transaction is complete. If you are curious about home ownership and determining what you need to do to purchase a home, contact me today.

A busy East Texas Real Estate market can be overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged…I am here to help. First, we will discuss lending and mortgage options available to you, and I can provide you with a list of lenders to contact. Second, we will discuss the most important things your are looking for in a home. From this point, we will start searching for the perfect place to begin your future and your memories of a lifetime. We will utilize online tours and in person walk through to truly determine if it is “HOME” for you.
I’d love to discuss your options and create a personalized plan of action suited to your specific circumstances

Decide to Buy

Purchasing a home is probably the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are moving on to a different home that better meets your needs, this decision must be made carefully

1. Why Do You Want To Buy?

Are you tired of paying rent? Have you outgrown your current home? Would you like a larger yard? Would you rather live in a different area? Do you want to shorten your commute? Having a clear sense of your reasons for buying will help you choose the right home.

2. Has Your Income Grown?

Home ownership can be a very good investment. As you pay down the principal part of your loan, you are building equity over time in addition to any market appreciation on your property.

3. Can You Afford To Buy?

The tax benefits of home ownership can provide a considerable advantage over renting.

Preparation

1. Build a file with all of your important financial documents. You’ll need it to secure financing for your home. The typical file should contain:

• Bank accounts
• Investments
• Credit card
• Auto loans
• Recent pay stubs
• Tax returns for two years

2. Check your credit rating. Generally, anything above 620 is considered good. A premium interest rate may mean a lower interest rate on your mortgage. Check your credit rating with a credit reporting agency such as Equifax, Experian, or Trans Union.

3. Be Careful With Your Finances. Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach home buying from a position of financial stability.

Go Shopping

Once you’ve got those preparations out of the way, it’s time to find the home of your dreams.

1. Take a Drive. Get to know the neighborhoods you are interested in. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to live in the area. Start getting a sense of the homes available in those neighborhoods.

2. Narrow your search. Select a few homes that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long-term resale value of the homes you are considering.

3. Time to Buy. Once you’ve picked out the house you want to buy, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs of maintenance and repairs on the house.

Escrow, Inspections, & Appraisal

The hard part is behind you, but there are a few more steps before you can move into your new dream home.

1. Final Inspection. A few days before you take over the property, we’ll do one last inspection to make sure everything is in order.

2. Utilities and Services. You will have to change the utilities and services of the house over to your name. Your real estate agent will assist in this process.

3. Closing Escrow. When your transaction is nearly completed, the title company will provide you with a “closing statement” that details all of the financial details of your home purchase. We will go over this with you to ensure its accuracy. At the last step in the buying process, the title company will have you sign the final documents, including loan documents (“deeds of trust”). When everything is complete, the title company will record the transaction for you at the County Assessor’s Office, and you will become the official new owner.