{"id":48078,"date":"2020-11-19T14:04:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T22:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=48078"},"modified":"2022-04-19T23:08:42","modified_gmt":"2022-04-20T06:08:42","slug":"a-12-step-first-time-homebuyer-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/a-12-step-first-time-homebuyer-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A 12-step first-time homebuyer guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><strong>Are you a first-time homebuyer? <\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>We break down what to expect with this simple step-by-step guide to buying your first home.<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s no easy way around it: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/moving-and-packing\/home-buying-checklist-the-ultimate-to-do-list\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buying a home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> requires a lot of work.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While the process is typically long and laborious, a little bit of knowledge is all it takes to become a smart, prepared <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/real-estate-concepts\/financing-a-house-9-tips-for-first-time-homeowners\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. With a little patience, flexibility, and help from an experienced, reputable agent, you\u2019re set up for a relatively stress-free experience.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your journey to becoming a homeowner begins here. Follow these steps to start your path to homeownership on the right foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>1. Get your finances in order<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first thing you want to do once you decide to buy a home is to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/uncategorized\/how-to-budget-to-buy-a-home-7-money-savings-tips-that-wont-change-your-lifestyle-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">organize your finances<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. As soon as possible, you need to check your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/ultimate-homebuyers-guide-improve-credit-score\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">credit score<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and make preparations to be a good candidate for a mortgage.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Steps to prepare your finances to buy a home:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/uncategorized\/how-does-your-credit-score-affect-your-mortgage-as-a-buyer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">credit report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for derogatory marks and address them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t open any new lines of credit or close any existing lines of credit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pay down or, if possible, pay off existing debt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Request higher credit lines (but do not use them) to improve your debt-to-credit ratio.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Set aside money every month for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/down-payment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">down payment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>2. Shop around for a mortgage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You want to educate yourself on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/ultimate-homebuyers-guide-mortgage-types\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mortgage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> market before you start shopping around for a home. Knowing current interest rates, understanding what affects your rate, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/ultimate-homebuyers-guide-mortgage-payments\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">estimating your monthly payments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are crucial to setting your budget.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One way to figure out what type of mortgage will work best for you is by getting pre-qualified or\u2014if you want to take it a step further\u2014pre-approved for a loan.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The benefits of getting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/ultimate-homebuyers-guide-pre-qualification-pre-approval\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">pre-qualified or pre-approved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It will allow you to more accurately <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/ultimate-homebuyers-guide-home-buying-budget\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">calculate your home-buying budget<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can speak to a professional about what a mortgage entails.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ll get an estimate of what type of loan you qualify for.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It will help you determine your monthly mortgage payments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sellers and agents will take you more seriously as an earnest buyer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>3. Figure out what you can afford<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you\u2019ve found a mortgage plan that fits\u2014or at least have a better idea of what type of loan you can afford\u2014you should calculate your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Movoto\u2019s Buyer Tip: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You should figure out your budget only after you have your finances organized and know that now is a good time for you to purchase. You also want to estimate your costs on the higher side to account for unforeseen costs and moving costs.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The best way to figure out your budget is by adding up estimates of all the costs related to your new home. These <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/terms-to-know\/what-are-closing-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">costs typically include<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Down payment for mortgage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Closing costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Property taxes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Insurance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maintenance costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Homeowners association fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inspection and application fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Real estate lawyer fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regular mortgage payments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>4. Find an agent<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Theoretically, you can search for a home without the assistance of an agent, but this is not recommended. Having someone who knows your needs, understands the real estate market, and knows how to negotiate will make your search easier.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ideally, you want an agent who:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Always acts with your best interest in mind<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is experienced, reputable, and knowledgeable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has a personality that fits your needs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Helps you understand current market conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Works with you to manage your expectations and guides you to homes that fit<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Negotiates with the seller for you<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Solves any problems that arise<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Start your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/agents\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">agent search at Movoto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to get connected to top agents in your area and utilize your network to get referrals from friends and family. Be sure to speak with a few agents to ensure your personalities jibe before you make a final decision.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>5. Define your needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you begin the search, the vision for your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/uncategorized\/find-dream-home-7-easy-steps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">dream home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will begin to take shape. Some of the details you want to figure out at this time are the location, size, type of home, and condition (whether you want a newly constructed home, an existing one, or a fixer-upper).<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Movoto\u2019s Buyer Tip: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The location is easily the most important factor in home shopping. Location is important not only for your current needs but for future selling prospects as well. Make a list of the most important things you want in a neighborhood, such as being close to work or near a good school. This will help guide your home search.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be flexible. As you start to see properties, it will be almost impossible to find a home that checks every one of your boxes, and your list of must-haves will change. Keep an open mind and you\u2019ll find something that satisfies your most important needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>6. Find you home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-48081 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/movoto.kinsta.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/blog-first-time-homebuyers3-587x294.jpg\" alt=\"A 12-Step First-Time Homebuyer Guide - Movoto Real Estate\" width=\"587\" height=\"294\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With online listings at your fingertips and the assistance of your agent, searching for your dream home is easier than ever. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Movoto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and other websites give you access to local listings and a variety of quality homes to tour without leaving your couch.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t jump in and buy the first house you look at and don\u2019t be disheartened if you can\u2019t find something that makes you happy after seeing several homes. Visit a number of homes in your price range to see what you can get on your budget, then pick your top homes and check them out again. Visit the homes you\u2019re interested in at different times of the day to see the house and neighborhood at different hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>7. Hire a good lawyer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As with your real estate agent, you want to hire an experienced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/uncategorized\/how-to-hire-a-real-estate-lawyer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">real estate lawyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> familiar with the home-buying process. Ask for recommendations from friends and colleagues, then check out anyone you\u2019re considering online. Make sure they don\u2019t have any serious complaints against them, that they are licensed, and that you can work well together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>8. Make an offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you find a house that could be \u201cthe One,\u201d make a reasonable offer based on the comparable homes you\u2019ve seen. Your offer can be below the asking price, but if it\u2019s too low, a seller may reject you outright instead of coming back with a counteroffer. Your agent will advise you on what a reasonable offer is.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the housing market is in a rut, your chances of success with a lower offer are generally better. Likewise, if the seller is eager to unload the property because they have already purchased another home. However, in strong markets like San Francisco and New York, it\u2019s common for bidding wars to happen and properties to go for over asking.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/first-home\/how-do-you-make-an-offer-on-a-house\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">offer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> should have three basic components, which your agent will help you put together:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Price:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The amount you are offering to purchase the home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Terms: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These should cover any other financial or time factors relative to the offer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Contingencies: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are clauses that will release you from the deal if you come across a problem with the home, such as an issue that comes up during the inspection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>9. Negotiate a deal<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-48079 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/movoto.kinsta.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/blog-first-time-homebuyers-587x294.jpg\" alt=\"A 12-Step First-Time Homebuyer Guide - Movoto Real Estate\" width=\"587\" height=\"294\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your offer was below the seller\u2019s asking price, you should expect a counteroffer that is between your number and the original. You can make your own counteroffer if the seller\u2019s new price is still above what you\u2019re willing to pay. You will continue to go back and forth until both parties are satisfied.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be cautious about how much you haggle the price. Too many counteroffers could annoy the seller and put an end to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/basics\/know-before-you-negotiate\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">negotiation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>10. Inspect your home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you and the seller have reached a deal, you\u2019re in the home stretch. However, it\u2019s important that you take the time to have the property <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/uncategorized\/home-inspection-tips-for-buyers-who-fixes-what\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">professionally inspected<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to ensure your investment is exactly what you understand it to be.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An inspection is your last chance to surface any problems relating to the home that weren\u2019t explicitly stated in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/seller\/sellers-disclosure-how-much-does-the-buyer-need-to-know\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">disclosures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You may believe everything the seller has told you about the property, but this is your opportunity to have an unbiased professional give you feedback about the home\u2019s condition.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are the key discoveries from a professional inspection:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Damage to the structure, roof, or foundation, which could occur from poor construction, water damage, shifting ground, or mold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any issues with the plumbing, wiring, heat, gas, and other utilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The estimated cost of repairs to fix any damage that the inspector finds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t be too concerned with small things that appear in the report. Don\u2019t sweat any easy fixes like loose doorknobs or faulty light switches that are listed in the report. It\u2019s the inspector\u2019s job to mark all issues no matter how small.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>11. Finalize your mortgage\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the inspection yields positive results, it\u2019s time for you to submit the application\u2014along with an application fee\u2014for your mortgage. This should be relatively simple if you\u2019re already pre-approved. Ask the lender to lock in your rate until you close on the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Movoto\u2019s Buyer Tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> About a week after you submit your application, check in with the lender to make sure there\u2019s no missing paperwork. You don\u2019t want a mistake on your part to hold up the application\u2019s evaluation.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>12. Prepare to close<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition to gathering all the necessary paperwork, you should stay in touch with all parties involved in the sale to deal with any potential problems as they arise. Prior to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/first-home\/what-is-the-process-of-closing-on-a-house\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">closing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you should:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conduct a final walkthrough with your agent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm that you have all of the paperwork.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm that you have the proper funds for closing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay on top of your finances and avoid making any large purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All that\u2019s left to do is sign the paperwork for the mortgage and sign and verify all documents during the closing. Then you can finally call your new property home sweet home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Congratulations on becoming a homeowner!<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you a first-time homebuyer? We break down what to expect with this simple step-by-step guide to buying your first home. There\u2019s no easy way around it: Buying a home requires a lot of work.\u00a0 While the process is typically long and laborious, a little bit of knowledge is all it takes to become a smart, prepared first-time homebuyer. With a little patience, flexibility, and help from an experienced, reputable agent, you\u2019re set up for a relatively stress-free experience.\u00a0 Your journey to becoming a homeowner begins here. Follow these steps to start your path to homeownership on the right foot. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":48080,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[167,223],"tags":[170,171,172,176,158,165,105,153,177,111,86,178,159,69],"class_list":["post-48078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basics","category-buying","tag-credit-history","tag-credit-repair","tag-credit-score","tag-down-payment","tag-finances","tag-first-time-homebuyer","tag-home-buying-tips","tag-home-inspection","tag-make-an-offer","tag-mortgage","tag-mortgage-rates","tag-preapproval","tag-taxes","tag-working-with-agents","post--single"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A 12 Step First-Time Homebuyer Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you a first-time homebuyer? 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