The first step when buying a home is to decide what you would like. The best way to do this is to create a list of features that are of importance to you. This list should serve as your guide to searching for a new home, keeping in mind that the home you ultimately purchase may not include every attribute on your list. Three important factors to consider in your search are location, personal tastes, and budget. eVantage Agents provide a wealth of information on community characteristics including schools, shopping, dining and other neighborhood features that will play a significant part in your home buying decision.

Determine What You Can Afford

Once you have made your priority list, it's time to decide how much home you can afford. There are many things that factor into what you can afford: income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, down payment and interest rate. eVantage Real Estate offers many different resources to help you determine what price range will fit comfortably within your budget.

Apply for a Mortgage

There are hundreds of mortgage programs available to homebuyers, and it can seem like a overwhelming task to know which program will work best for you. With expert experience, resources, along with a wealth of options– contacting an eVantage Agent is the best way to get a pre-approval from and qualified and trusted Mortgage lender. eVanatge Agents can refer you to a mortgage lender to assist in learning about the many different mortgage options available to you.

Shop for a Home

Now that you have an idea of the area you would enjoy to live in, along with how much you can afford, you can begin your search for a new home. To assist in simplifying the process as much as possible, you can register with an eVantage Agent who will automatically notify you when new listings are available that match your search criteria. Once you see a few homes that you like, you should begin to visit homes in person. Your eVanatge Agent will arrange visits for you and you can attend open houses in your target area and price range.

Make an Offer

After you have found a home you like, you are now ready to make an offer. It is valuable to have your eVantage Real Estate professional negotiate the offer on your behalf. An important thing to remember is that if you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, be sure not to divulge any information about your move, current housing status, financial status or positive or negative feelings about the property. All of these factors will play a significant role in future negotiations on the purchasing price.

Inspection and Insurance

Once your offer is accepted, you will need to set up and coordinate inspections on the property. These can include termites, radon, building quality, etc. It is important not to get discouraged if problems are revealed during these inspections. Your eVantage Agent is always there to make this process as smooth and easy as possible. Many homeowners find that consulting a real estate attorney can also help with understanding the language involved in the contracts and paperwork that need to be completed.

In addition to the previously mentioned inspections, you will also need to arrange for homeowners insurance and finalize your mortgage agreement.

The Final Closing

Before you arrive at the final closing, you should make sure that all the necessary paperwork and deposits have been completed and forwarded to the appropriate parties. Missing or incomplete information can delay the closing, so it is imperative that everything is done prior to your closing date.

Once all the paperwork is completed and signed, you own the house. CONGRATULATIONS!