How to Buy a House
How to Buy a House in 10 SIMPLIFIED steps.
From its stunning beaches to its bustling downtown, St. Pete offers an incredible lifestyle that many aspire to call home. But embarking on the journey to homeownership can feel overwhelming, especially in a city as diverse and dynamic as St. Pete. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to invest in a new property, this simple guide is your roadmap to answer “How to buy a house in St Pete.”
1. Find a realtor and set up a call or in-person meeting. Your expectation for your realtor during this meeting should be for him/her (hopefully me), to walk you through how to buy a house and explain their strategy in doing so. My strategy changes based on the current market conditions. Rest assured, you don’t need to know exactly how to buy a house, you just need to right agent to help you do it.
2. Talk to a few lenders. Your agent will recommend their preferred lender, I personally recommend a few. Lending isn’t one size fits all. It’s good to talk with a few and learn about their programs and fees. Your expectation for your lender should be for him/her to outline exactly what they need from you for financing and offer advice on home loans based on your personal financial situation.
3. Custom Search & Showings. Once we have your pre-approval from your lender, I will set you up on a custom home search on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). I will customize your search criteria so you are one of the first to know the moment a home hits the market that fits exactly what you’re looking for. I can customize this search based on neighborhoods, square footage, lot size, beds/baths, and more! When a home hits your inbox you’d like to see, we schedule a showing within 24 hours (usually the same day).
4. Make an offer. Once you’re ready to offer on a home, we meet or have a call to discuss the terms of your offer. I will go over comparable homes and help you come up with an offer price that you feel good about. The contract can feel intimidating, but I will outline all the different terms and help you with a favorable offer.
5. Negotiations. I will be working on your behalf to negotiate the terms of the contract if the seller doesn’t accept or wants changes made to our offer. I will be in constant communication with you and the sellers agent to make it happen.
6. Inspections & Escrow. Once our offer is accepted the home will go “pending” on the MLS and Zillow.
You will submit an escrow deposit to the title company within 3 days.
Inspection Period
We will have 7-15 days (depending on our terms in the contract) to complete all inspections on the home. During this time you have the option to withdraw from the contract and receive your escrow deposit back if you don’t wish to proceed.
I assist in this entire process from recommending an inspector, offering advice on which inspections to perform, and being present for all inspections.
If anything is found during inspections, we have the opportunity to negotiate repairs, alter terms, or adjust the sale price.
7. Financing. Your lender will be sent the contract and work with you to gather all financing materials to obtain the loan. He/she will order the appraisal, typically 2 weeks after going under contract.
8. Homeowners insurance. I will assist in helping you obtain homeowners insurance quotes and any other necessary insurance such as flood or home warranties.
9. Final-Walk through. The day before closing we will go to the house and preform a walkthrough. This allows us to ensure the house is in the same condition it was when we inspected it. At this time we can ensure repairs are completed.
10. Closing Day. On closing day you and your agent will meet at the Title company.
The title company has been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure the home is free of any liens or open permits.
Closing can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. You will be signing a large stack of paperwork and have the opportunity to ask the notary clarifying questions. The paperwork and settlement statement is sent to you prior to closing so you’ll have the opportunity to review beforehand.
CONGRATS you now have the keys to your new home!
I hope through those 10 steps I was able to simplify how to buy a house!
As you embark on your journey to buy a house in St. Pete, Florida, remember that having the right guidance and support can make all the difference.
As an experienced real estate agent deeply familiar with the St. Pete market, I am here to offer you personalized assistance every step of the way. You don’t NEED to know exactly how to buy a house, because you have me! From finding the perfect property to negotiating the best deal and navigating the intricacies of the closing process, I am committed to ensuring a smooth and successful experience for you.
By choosing me as your trusted agent..
By choosing me as your trusted agent..
By choosing me as your trusted agent, you gain access to invaluable expertise, extensive resources, and unwavering dedication to your goals. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, I will work tirelessly to help you find the home of your dreams in St. Pete.
Your journey to homeownership begins here.
Your journey to homeownership begins here.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and let’s make your real estate aspirations a reality. Contact me today and let’s get started on finding your perfect home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Your journey to homeownership begins here.
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