{"id":95971,"date":"2019-07-20T09:02:08","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T13:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=95971"},"modified":"2019-07-23T10:53:20","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T14:53:20","slug":"process-of-buying-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/process-of-buying-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Ways to Simplify the Process of Buying a House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether\nit\u2019s your first house or what you hope will be your last, buying a house is\noften a very stressful process. Until the moment you take possession of your\nhome, there\u2019s always a chance something could go wrong. Here are seven ways to\nsimplify the process of buying a house<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Get your paperwork in order<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start\ngetting your paperwork in order<\/a> before you even start looking at\nproperties online. If you\u2019re applying for a loan, you\u2019ll need your last two\nyears\u2019 worth of tax returns, current pay stubs, bank statements for the last\nthree months, cancelled rent checks, or copies of your lease. You may also need\nyour divorce decree and bankruptcy paperwork if either of those situations\napply. Remember that getting money out of a 401k or a trust for your down\npayment or outright purchase can take longer than you anticipate, so find out\nhow long it\u2019s going to take and what\u2019s involved if that\u2019s a route you\u2019re\nconsidering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Find a real estate agent you can\ntrust<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before\nyou start the mortgage or loan application process, finding out what\u2019s going on\nin the market is vital. Interview at least three real estate agents, and listen\nto what they say about what you\u2019re likely to get for the house you\u2019re selling.\nIn addition, speak with them about what you\u2019ll likely pay for your new one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once\nyou\u2019ve heard the same price ranges three times (assuming all the agents you\nmeet with agree, which they should), choose the agent with the best track\nrecord of sales in your area, the best online or personal recommendations, and\nthe one you like best. Staging, keeping a home show-ready, and listening to\ntactfully delivered feedback from people who\u2019ve viewed your home means you\u2019re\ngoing to be interacting with your agent a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Start researching banks, credit\nunions, and loan officers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While\nit might seem simpler to use a bank or credit union that offers home buyers\none-stop shopping, what the term really means is the bank has a vested interest\nin the sale through controlled business arrangements with realtors, attorneys,\nand possibly even home inspectors, and may receive a portion of the\ncommissions. That\u2019s no way to guarantee objectivity. To check a loan officer\u2019s\nrecord, ask for their ID number and take a look at NMLS Consumer Access. If\nyou\u2019re using a mortgage broker, check their credentials with the Better\nBusiness Bureau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Get your financing in order<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once\nyou\u2019ve chosen your loan officer, bank, credit union, or mortgage broker, get\npre-approved for a loan or mortgage and get a pre-approval letter. This will\nnot only help you figure out what you can afford before you start looking, it\ntells realtors and sellers you\u2019re serious. Depending on how long your search\ntakes, you may need to renew your pre-approval\u2014they\u2019re usually only valid for\n60 to 90 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Find a home inspector you can\ntrust<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If\nyou\u2019re looking at older homes, a good home inspector will be able to warn you\nof areas where there are problems with termites, water seepage, or shoddy\nconstruction. Do your due diligence. One of the best ways to find a good home\ninspector is to talk to a tradesperson you\u2019ve used in the past, one who takes\npride in their work and wants everyone in the industry to do the same. Try to\nfind a home inspector who\u2019ll let you accompany them when they make their\ninspection so you can ask questions on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Consider investing in title\ninsurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While\nit may seem like an unnecessary expense, making sure there are no liens against\nthe property you\u2019re buying is important. The last thing anyone needs is to find\nout the home they just bought is owned by someone other than its previous\noccupant. It costs between $1,000 and $3,000 on average, or .05 percent of the\npurchase price. You can sometimes get a reissued title insurance policy if the\nseller went through this process. That can save you some money. Get your real\nestate agent to ask the seller\u2019s realtor about this. Additionally, some banks\nmay require you obtain title insurance if you\u2019re getting a mortgage, so be sure\nto inquire with your lending officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Get your tradespeople lined up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If\nyou\u2019re already a homeowner and have been through renovations or repairs,  you may have a plumber, an electrician, a\nroofer, a flooring person and a general carpenter you know and trust. If you\u2019re\nmoving to a new city or you\u2019re a first-time homebuyer, you\u2019re going to have to\nrely on in-person and online recommendations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One\nof the best places to find good tradespeople is an independent home supplier.\nThey know who\u2019s sloppy and who\u2019s not, and they\u2019ll often have business cards for\ntradespeople behind the counter.\n\nHere\u2019s hoping these\nseven ways to simplify the process of buying a house make the experience a\nlittle less stressful. Happy hunting!\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"