Are you contemplating buying a new home in California?

Buying a home intimidates most people, but with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't very complicated. I like to give buyers an outline of the whole deal so they know exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
There are plenty of things you need to contemplate before beginning your home search. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to form a checklist of features you need, get a feel for what school districts you'd like to live in, and start planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is no more than a third of your monthly income is a good guideline to go by.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Orange
This is where Taurus REALTY Group comes in. I'll set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Orange area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

We can also help you start the loan process. Taurus REALTY Group partners with some of Nation's best mortgage professionals, so you're in great hands. They'll help you choose which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin looking for houses on the market that are good for you. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the houses and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll call attention to positive features, as well as bad ones. And I'll ask you to talk about things you like and don't like. It's widely common for buyers to revise their list of must-haves as we view homes and some things become far more necessary than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings again and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a feel for the housing market
Your agent's understanding of the California home market is a necessary aspect in your house search. And I assure you I'm conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to what districts are "hot" and warrant prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful analysis.

  As we tour homes, I'll let you know if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask a lot of questions, as any REALTOR^® in Orange will convince you they comprehend the housing market. If things don't add up, contact us at (877) 682-8787 or e-mail us at info@taurusrealtygroup.com, and we'll be glad to answer any questions you have.  Our knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
We're sure we'll find the home of your dreams in California.  When that happens, We'll meticulously create your purchase offer.  The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs, including several contingencies, such as obtaining financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.

Upon turning in your offer, you'll want to present "earnest money."  This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property.  The amount is most often applied to the closing costs.  If the seller accepts your offer, we should close about 30 to 60 days afterward.  This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of deals don't close on the beginning offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it intimidate you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
After the deal is complete, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-qualified, it won't be a long process at all, but you'll need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll sort out all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.>

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. This estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to involve all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if everything looks good.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will most likely occur at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and relaxing occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at 8776828787 or send me an e-mail.