Checklist for buying a house
1. Get your finances in order. Pay your bills on time and don't open any new lines of credit.
2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Find out how much you can borrow before you start your search.
3. Establish your search criteria. Carefully consider the difference between your wants and your must-haves.
4. Visit properties. There is no substitute for going to see properties in person.
5. Make an offer. This is when your agent's expertise in selecting comparable sales and understanding the local market conditions will be invaluable.
6. Have the home inspected and appraised. An inspector can help you determine any concerns with the home's conditions. An appraiser will determine its value.
7. Complete the loan process. Once all the paperwork is done and the appraisal accepted, your lender will issue a clear to close.
8. Close! This is the day you sign all the purchase documents and receive your keys.
Choosing a Realtor
Finding an agent early in the home buying process is important because a good agent will help you set realistic goals for your search and they will have relationships with good local lenders. Using a lender that can work with your financial situation and get you to the closing table on time is an important part of making your dream of homeownership come true.
Experience Matters
We're currently in a market with low inventory. That means your agent's ability to present an attractive offer to the sellers and negotiate on your behalf is going to be very important. Surprisingly, more money isn't always what makes an offer the winning bid. You need an agent who understands that.
Are They Dedicated to Buyers?
If an agent also lists, that means you won't have their undivided attention. They'll sometimes need to be focused on negotiating deals for the properties they're selling. Our team's buyers' agents only work with buyers. That means they'll always be focused on you. And, because we're a team, you'll always have someone available to show you a property, even last minute.
Clear Communication
Communication with your agent is important throughout the process. You want someone who will respond quickly and in your preferred method - text, email, or phone calls. Also, as you're speaking with them, are they explaining things clearly? Do their answers sound rooted in experience and market data?
Trust
This is probably the biggest purchase you'll make. Do you trust that they're looking out for your best interest and not just trying to make a sale? Will they honestly explain to you the pros and cons of different homes and areas that you're considering so that you don't get stuck with something that loses value or is difficult to sell in the future?
You worked hard to save money for a home and you deserve to be represented by an agent who wants the very best for you. One who has the skills to get you into your dream home, but how do you find that agent? A referral from a trusted friend or family member is a great way. Or, you can try Google but you're going to get thousands of results, and that's a lot of reviews to read through!
Since you're here, why not learn a bit more about our buyers' agents? Read on for more information.
Buying a New Construction Home in North Atlanta: 8 Things Every Buyer Should Know
Thinking about buying a new construction home in Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Canton, Woodstock, or another North Atlanta community? New construction offers incredible opportunities, but the buying process is very different from purchasing a resale home.
From builder contracts and financing to inspections, upgrades, and closing timelines, there are important decisions you'll make long before you receive the keys. Knowing what to expect can save you thousands of dollars—and a lot of unnecessary stress.
In this video, our team shares 8 things every new-construction homebuyer should know before signing a contract with a builder.
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is walking into a model home without realizing who represents whom. Feel free to tour new home communities on your own, but before you decide to purchase, make sure you have your own real estate agent. The sales consultant in the model home works for the builder and represents the builder's interests. You deserve someone whose only job is protecting yours.
An experienced REALTOR® can help you evaluate more than just the floor plan. We'll help you identify which upgrades add long-term value, which options aren't worth the additional cost, and whether a particular homesite has advantages—or drawbacks—that may not be obvious. These decisions matter because once you've signed a builder's contract, changes are often limited or impossible.
Financing a new construction home also works differently than financing a resale home. We'll help you compare the builder's preferred lender incentives with other financing options so you can determine which loan truly offers the best value—not just the biggest advertised incentive.
And don't overlook the inspection. Although builders complete multiple inspections throughout construction, we always recommend hiring an independent home inspector before closing. We'll explain what a new construction inspection typically costs, provide a comprehensive checklist, and help ensure your new home is ready for move-in.
Agent Amy Vanden Bos worked in new construction for a decade before becoming a full-time real estate agent. She expertly guides buyers through the new construction home-buying process. She's put together a short video explaining some pitfalls to look out for when buying new construction.
Watch it here.
Risks of buying a house without a realtor
We've outlined the top 5 potential pitfalls:
1. You've Been Had
You fell in love with the finishes but overlooked the deferred maintenance. What’s it going to cost you? Can you spot the difference between a $50 repair and a defect that will cost thousands? The listing agent isn’t your advocate. They work strictly for the seller to sell the home at the highest possible price.
2. Overpaying
How are your negotiating skills? You may not get the best deal possible if you go up against an experienced agent. The data found on online consumer real estate sites doesn’t accurately reflect local market trends and property values. Without access to the correct information based on truly comparable sales, how do you know you're paying a fair price? If you end up in a multiple-offer situation, do you know which factors, other than money, may entice the buyer to accept your offer?
3. Poor Resale Value
This is your forever home, right? Statistically speaking, it probably isn't. Do you understand the aspects of the home, neighborhood, and local area that will influence its future resale value? Picture yourself down the road with a job opportunity or a change in your life circumstances that requires you to move. How will you feel if you can't sell the house or you have to sell it for less than you paid for it?
4. You're Sitting in Traffic
Do you track local traffic patterns? Do you know what future development is planned in the surrounding area and how it will impact things like school attendance zones, traffic levels, noise levels, construction traffic, and things of that nature? Will it matter to you if you move in one day, and another day they tear down the woods next door to begin construction of a new strip mall?
5. You're Next to a Retention Pond
The on-site sales agent gave you a great deal on a lot! But why? Do you know how to evaluate the quality of the lot? Beyond the lot, do you know how to determine if you're paying too much for upgrades or making the wrong selections? Remember, the on-site sales agent works for the builder and has their best interest in mind. Not yours.
So, instead of asking yourself, "Can I buy a house without a realtor?", maybe the better question is, should you? Hopefully, highlighting these 5 risks of buying a house without a realtor will help you decide. If you'd like to understand these risks more fully and hear how an agent could be a real difference-maker, see below. We've put together a blog and a video that go into greater detail.
Do I need a realtor to buy a house?
In this blog post, our lead buyer's agent sheds light on the risks of buying a house without a realtor and offers insights on how an agent can help you avoid them.
Read Blog
Risks of buying a house without a realtor.
Give us 5 minutes to make our case! In this brief video, our agents discuss a few common problems an unrepresented buyer can expect to face.
Watch Video
How to buy a new construction home.
Buying new construction presents unique challenges. Agent Amy Vanden Bos formerly worked in new construction sales and has put together a short video outlining insider tips.
Watch Video
Start the home buying process off right
Completing our homebuyers questionnaire will help narrow your focus and more fully understand what you need and want in your new home.