Step 1: Figure Out What You Can Afford
Purchasing a home is a huge financial investment, which is why it's important to first determine what you'll be able to afford in mortgage payments each month, as well as what you can invest initially as a down payment. Our handy mortgage calculator can help you estimate your monthly payments.
You also want to account for additional costs like closing costs, fees, homeowners insurance, and taxes—and remember, just because you don't have a traditional 20% down payment doesn't mean you can't buy a home!
Step 2: Shop for a Loan and Get Preapproved
Finding a trustworthy lender will help you determine what type of loan you'll qualify for and how much home you can actually afford. Get recommendations and talk to at least three or four lenders so that you can compare rates before making a decision.
Need recommendations for lenders in Hutchinson Island? Just ask us!
Step 3: Determine the Selling Prices of Homes in Your Area
If you have a preferred location or neighborhood, find out the actual selling prices of homes in that area—not just their listing prices—to confirm whether you can afford to buy a home there.
Have your sights on a specific neighborhood in Hutchinson Island? Request your neighborhood sold report today!
Step 4: Find an Agent
Your agent should be someone you can trust, an expert on real estate in your desired area and neighborhood, and experienced in working with buyers like you—whether you're new to the real estate scene or already a seasoned investor.
Looking for an agent in Hutchinson Island? Find out more about our impressive experience and how we can help you buy a home!
Step 5: Find Your Home
Finding your Hutchinson Island home should be as smooth sailing as the Treasure Coast breeze—and most importantly, it should be fun! This is the part where you get to visit open houses, tour homes, take notes, and really hone in on your perfect dream home! Plus, we recommend taking pictures of the homes you tour to keep them fresh in your memory.
Thinking about buying a home in Hutchinson Island? Start searching for your dream home today!
Step 6: Make an Offer
Once you find your perfect home, it's then time to work with your agent to determine a competitive yet reasonable offering price. You'll want to decide on an offer that is comfortably within your price range but competitive enough that it won't cause the seller to reject it immediately.
Step 7: Get an Inspection
When you're investing in a home, you always want to make sure you're getting your money's worth. Ask your real estate agent to recommend a trusted home inspector that will tour the house and check for any potential problems. If necessary, you can request that the seller repair any issues that you find.
Step 8: Review Your Contract
Before you sign any paperwork, it's important that you carefully read over the contract with your agent or lawyer to ensure there are contingencies in place—that is, if something falls through with your mortgage, you aren't still obligated to purchase the home.
Step 9: Finalize Your Mortgage Approval
Work with your chosen lender to submit your mortgage application, review predicted closing costs, and have your home appraised. Common closing costs include appraisal and attorney fees, title insurance, government recording and home inspection fees, courier costs, and taxes.
Step 10: Close and Pay
It's time to close, which means you've almost crossed the finish line! Meet with your agent, lender, and seller to finalize the paperwork, sign your contracts, and pay your down payment and closing costs. Finally, the keys to your new home are officially in your hands!