10 Steps to Buying Your First Grand Junction Home
Are you getting ready to become a homeowner but don’t know where to start? Well, congratulations! Buying a home is not only a great life-achievement but a fantastic investment for your financial future.
The process to buying your first Grand Junction home can seem long and tedious. Hiring an experienced real estate agent to guide you on the journey will help eliminate stress and ensure you get into a home that meets all your needs. Once you get past the financing and through the paperwork, buying a home will be one of the most rewarding purchases of a lifetime.
Here’s how it works:
1. Set your budget. Take a look at your finances and figure out how much you can comfortably spend on a home. Make sure you consider necessary items such as mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Talk to a few different lenders to shop for the best mortgage options. They will provide a pre-approval amount which will give you an idea of how much you can borrow and what you can afford in the market.
3. Know your preferences. Make a list of what you need and what you want in a home. Things you should think about are location, size, amenities and proximity to schools, work, and transportation. This helps you establish expectations about future compromises.
4. Find a real estate agent. Look for a reliable agent who knows the local market well. They'll help you find suitable properties and guide you through the buying process. Luckily, the Janice Burtis Team has 20+ years of experience in the Grand Junction market, and we would be happy to be your local guides.
5. Start house hunting. Work with your agent to find online listings, visit open houses, and schedule viewings. While your agent will help you find available homes, it’s up to you to take notes and pictures to keep track of the properties you like.
6. Arrange inspections. When you find a potential home, your agent will help you hire a professional home inspector to check for any issues that could affect its value or safety. However, this often happens after you have put in an offer and go under contract.
7. Make an offer. Work with your agent to make a competitive offer based on market value. This is where it’s important to hire a professional agent with experience. They will know the tricks of the market and ways to help you negotiate with the seller to find a price that works for both parties.
8. Secure your financing. Finalize your mortgage application with your chosen lender. Make sure you have access to any necessary documents and that you stay in touch with your lender throughout the process.
9. Do your due diligence. Now is the time to review important documents like the property's title and disclosure statements with your agent. You can also consider hiring a real estate attorney to guide you through the legal aspects.
10. Close the deal. You’re on the homestretch now! Schedule a closing date and review the closing documents. On the big day, sign the paperwork, pay the closing costs, and get the keys to your new home!
Now that we’ve walked you through the steps, that doesn’t seem too bad right? Well, we promise that if you work with the Janice Burtis Team, you’ll have a smooth and easy transaction when it comes to buying your first home. Reach out to our team today to get started!