LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT HOME?

Purchasing real estate is likely to be the biggest and most complex financial transaction a person will make in their life according to NAR.com. Using us as your trusted real estate professionals we strongly advocate for you and understand the information and emotional support that buyers need throughout the process of finding and acquiring a home.  Our goal is always to treat you like family and communicate weekly at a minimum or your money back. As experts with local market knowledge, The Hickson Team will prepare and guide you through all the practical details and potential obstacles that may occur during the purchase process.

The key to getting there? Knowing the home-buying journey. Knowing what tools are at your disposal. And most importantly? We create relationships with experts who can help you get the job done. You ready to live the dream? Here we go.

Do Your Homework

Oh sure, everybody wants to jump right into open houses. But before you even set foot into a foyer, you should identify your list of “musts” and “wants.” This list is an inventory of priorities for your search. And there’s so much to decide: Price, housing type, neighborhood, and school district — just to name a few.

If you’re planning to buy a home with a partner (in life or in real estate), you will want to be on the same page while buying a house. If you’re not, you’ll be less able to give us agents or lenders the information we need to help you. And you risk wasting time viewing homes you can’t afford — or don’t even want in the first place.

Pick a Loan (It’s Not So Bad)

Once you’ve decided on a lender (or mortgage broker), you’ll work with your loan agent to determine which loan is right for you. You’ll consider the percentage of your income you want to spend on your new house, and you’ll provide the lender with paperwork showing proof of income, employment status, and other important financials. If all goes well (fingers crossed) you’ll be pre-approved for a loan at a certain amount. (Sweet.) 

Visit Open Houses, and Look Around

Now that you have both agents who know your housing preferences and a budget — and a lender to finance a house within that budget — it’s time to get serious. The next step is to start looking at listings. We help you set-up a personalized portal where you receive the very latest homes custom-tailored to meet your needs (price range, ZIP codes, features), and will also help you determine the quality of listings you find online. Then comes the fun part: Open houses and private showings, which give you the unique opportunity to evaluate properties in a way you can’t online.

Make an Offer

Once you find the home you want to buy, you’ll with us to make an offer that not only specifies the price you’re willing to pay but also the proposed settlement date and contingencies — other conditions that must be agreed upon by both parties, such as giving you the ability to do a home inspection and request repairs.

Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate

Making an offer can feel like an emotional precipice, almost like asking someone out on a date. Do they like me? Am I good enough? Will they say yes? It’s stressful! Some home sellers simply accept the best offer they receive, but many sellers make a counteroffer. If that happens, it’s up to you todecide whether you want us to negotiate with the seller or walk away. This is an area where your we can provide real value by using our expert negotiating skills to haggle on your behalf and nab you the best deal.

Get the Place Inspected

If your offer is accepted, then you’ll sign a contract. Most sales contracts include a home inspection contingency, which means you’ll hire a licensed or certified home inspector to inspect the home for needed repairs, and then ask the seller to have those repairs made. This mitigates your risk of buying a house that has major issues lurking beneath the surface, like mold or cracks in the foundation. (No one wants that.)

Ace the Appraisal

When you offer to buy a home, your lender will need to have the home appraised to make sure the property value is enough to cover the mortgage. If the home appraises close to the agreed-upon purchase price, you’re one step closer to settlement — but a low appraisal can add a wrinkle. Not one you can’t deal with.

Close the Deal

The last stage of the home-buying process is settlement, or closing. This is when you sign the final ownership and insurance paperwork and make this whole thing official.

When it’s all said and done — break out the rosé. You’ll have the keys to your new home!

“The Everything Guide to Buying Your First Home.” National Association of Realtors.  (May 03, 2018). Retrieved from www.houselogic.com.