Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 8 Posts
- 2025 | 48 Posts
- 2024 | 48 Posts
- 2023 | 48 Posts
- 2022 | 48 Posts
- 2021 | 48 Posts
- 2020 | 51 Posts
- 2019 | 48 Posts
- 2018 | 29 Posts
30
New Year New Home: 5 Ways to Make it a Reality in 2020
Deciding to buy a home can be daunting, but educating yourself about what's involved can help you understand what to expect. Our REALTORS® guide clients through the process every day and share some tips to make your home buying journey a breeze.
Decide What You Want and Need
Think about what you'd like in a house today and in the future. Are you planning to have a family and want a big yard for kids and pets? Is a garage a requirement for you? Write down everything you want and need and start checking out your local real estate market online. It's important to look at the area as a whole—it's always a good idea to buy in a neighborhood where property values will most likely appreciate.
Get Your Finances In Order
First, you'll need to save for a down payment. Generally, a down payment should be about 20 percent, but can be as low as 10, 5 or even 0 percent for certain types of mortgages like FHA and VA loans. When you feel confident that you've saved enough, check your credit. Annual Credit Report.com offers a free yearly credit report from the three major reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Making sure your credit is in order can help to ensure you get a decent interest rate.
Also, get pre-approved by a lender before you start looking at Augusta homes for sale. To do a pre-approval, lenders will review your credit report, income, and other finances. They will then issue a letter stating the amount for which you've been pre-approved. Keep in mind that pre-approval is not the same thing as being approved for a mortgage loan. When you're ready to do that, make sure you choose at least three with competitive rates.
Start Looking for Homes
Finding a real estate agent who's a good fit for you is a must. Check reviews online and ask family and friends for recommendations. After you've narrowed down your list to a few, meet with them and discuss what your wants and needs are, the price range you're looking at, and ask any questions you may have about the process. In addition to coordinating showings for listings you may be interested in online, your agent will do their own research and come up with properties for you to tour.
Make an Offer
Once you've found a home, you and your agent can work together to develop an offer. They can also help with negotiations, as listing price is just a starting point in most real estate deals. Your agent can also help you find a home inspector to make sure the house is sound from top to bottom and advise you on whether any problems are worth fixing. Your lender will also conduct a home appraisal to ensure its value is consistent with similar properties in the area.
Attend the Closing and Move-In
You're almost at the finish line! At the closing of your real estate deal, you'll read and sign multiple contracts. Once that's done, you'll be a brand new homeowner! Depending on the terms of your agreement, you may be able to move in that day.
Ready to own a home in 2020? Our experienced real estate professionals can help you find the home of your dreams. Contact us to get started.