Finding a home and making an offer

The Exciting Journey to Finding Your Dream Home

In earlier posts, we discussed finding the right lender and realtor. Now, it is time to move on to the most exciting and sometimes nerve-racking part of the home buying process: searching for the home of your dreams and making an offer.

Creating Your Needs List

Before hopping into the car with your realtor and looking at homes in the area, it’s very helpful to put together a needs list. This list will be useful for you and anyone else moving with you to clearly outline your priorities. Tracking how each home you view meets these needs will make the process more efficient. This is similar to a “Pros and Cons” sheet many of us use for important decisions.

To begin, write down your basic needs to help you and your realtor filter out options in the initial viewing process. These include:

• Price Range: Determine what you can afford.
• Location: City or town specifics, rural, urban, or suburban options.
• School District: If applicable, decide on your preferences for schools.

Next, discuss more specific details such as:

• Square Footage: The size of the home.
• Bedrooms and Bathrooms: The number you need.
• Yard Type: Size and features of the outdoor space.
• Garage and Storage: Your needs for these spaces.
• Other Amenities: Any other features that are important to you.

Viewing Homes

With your needs list in hand, decide on your timeline and get out there to see as many homes as possible. As you view each home, keep track of how it matches your preferences and note any areas where it falls short.

Making an Offer

Once you find the perfect home, meet with your realtor to write an offer. You and your realtor will determine the price to offer, who pays what costs, closing dates, and other details that need to be navigated. Your realtor will guide you through this process.

Present the offer to the seller and be prepared for possible counteroffers. There might be some back-and-forth negotiations. Once all terms are agreed upon, both parties will sign a purchase agreement. Congratulations, you are one step closer to owning your dream home!

Final Thoughts

The journey to finding your dream home is filled with excitement and important decisions. By staying organized and working closely with your realtor, you can make this process smoother and more enjoyable. And remember, Oak Capital Mortgage is here to help you navigate the financial aspects of home buying, providing expert advice and support every step of the way. Good luck and happy house hunting!