If you're preparing to buy a home, you've likely encountered more than one checklist for buying. House hunting is only the beginning of the process, and it's important not forget any crucial steps along the way.
While homebuyer checklists can seem long and overwhelming, there are a few key points to focus on. Here are three things to pay special attention to when making your own checklist for buying a house:
The first important step in finding your next home is speaking with a mortgage company. The lender will do a thorough investigation of your financial profile, including metrics like debt to income ratio (DTI) and your credit report. If you meet the criteria for approval, you'll get a preapproval letter from the lender.
However, it is important to remember that approval letters will not necessarily mean a commitment to any lender. You still have the option to shop around to find the best mortgage lender for your situation.
The next stage is scheduling professional visits to the home to determine a fair purchase price. Home inspectors will make sure the structure of the home is up to code. Your inspector will test your electrical and plumbing system and will send you the detailed reports.
There may be additional charges or separate inspections required to detect presence of radon or mold during inspection. While home inspections are not always required, they are highly recommended, as they can help prevent hidden issues which can affect your home values in the future.
A real estate lawyer is another excellent professional to have on your team. The homebuying process includes complicated legal forms and jargon, which an attorney can help you understand and give you advice. They can assist you throughout the process and go over any official documents such as contracts of sale and title documents for any missing info.
For an even smoother process, many experts recommend shopping for a mortgage broker and clearing up any issues with credit scores long before you begin house hunting. However, once you find your dream home, these key tips will help you have a successful buying experience.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.