It’s an exciting time when you decide to start the home buying process and begin shopping for a new home. On this page, we have some information to help you navigate the field. Of course, we’ll be happy to guide you every step of the way!
Please note: Our website is full of helpful information. Once we decide to work together, we will meet to talk about hiring us to assist in the entire process. In that meeting, we will discuss options you have concerning hiring us to represent your best interest via our Buyer Broker Agreement.
Reviewing the home buying process:
Another document we like to have people read when they begin their home search is the Buyer Advisory form from the Arizona Association of REALTORS. This document has a ton of great information for anyone looking to purchase a home.
If you are financing your purchase, you’ll want to talk to a mortgage company to get pre-approved for a loan before anything else. This will pinpoint your price range and make sure you are comfortable with the loan product and monthly payment for your new home. Additionally, having a pre-approval from a mortgage company is essential when the real estate market is hot, because you may need to act quickly to make an offer on the home you want, and a completed Pre-Qualification form will need to be included with the Purchase Contract. Once you begin the loan process, make sure you don’t make any major purchases, increase your credit card debt or change jobs until after you close on the sale of your new home.
Time to start looking for a home:
When it’s time to start looking for a home, we will be happy to set up a customized search in the MLS for you. By entering your specific wants and needs into the system, we will make sure you are alerted via email as soon as a listing matching your criteria comes onto the market. Then, when you decide you’d like to see a home up close and personal, we’ll be happy to show it to you.
You’ll also want to know about things like disclosure laws and about what sellers may or may not be doing while we are touring their home.
Now here’s a reminder of one very critical thing you need to know, that many people don’t understand. It is a good idea to make sure that we accompany you to visit any new home builders. Several reasons exist for this. The primary reason is representation.
Remember, if you are unrepresented in a purchase, the listing agent will only be considering the builder or seller’s interest! Representation does matter. We’re here to help and to negotiate in your best interest, not the interest of the seller or home builder.
Once you choose a home, it’s time for us to help you make an offer. We’ll walk you through this every step of the way. Many things are taken into consideration to determine your offer. We’ll look at comparable sold properties, see how long the home has been on the market, review the location and condition of the home, and examine other relevant details to assist you in making an educated offer. Once we submit an offer, some negotiation will likely be required. Remember, there’s a lot more to purchase price when determining what offer is best for you. Timing, inspection items, warranty items, homeowner’s association items, closing date and more all come into play.
Upon acceptance of your offer, we’ll make sure that all of the details are attended to. Escrow will be opened with your earnest money, a home inspection and appraisal will be ordered, seller property disclosures and insurance claims history will be requested, and repair requests will be handled. Don’t worry – we’ll walk you right through the entire process. Heck, this stuff is my favorite part of the process. I love making sure the contract and all of its terms and conditions are handled properly. The art of the deal, it’s a LOT of fun!
For helpful phone numbers and contact information for utility companies see these links. Also check out our Moving Checklist. These are other items that will ensure a smooth and successful home buying experience.
Need to sell a home first? It is very common for people to need to sell a home before they purchase their next one. We can help with that, too!
Please call the Nick Bastian Team at 602-803-6425 with ANY questions to get started and along the way.
We are here to help!
