Buying a new house is very exciting. It can also be a little nerve wracking.
Where should you start looking? What things do you need to consider?
The important questions to ask and topics to keep in mind can feel overwhelming at times.
Let me help!
Why Rachel?
Let me help!
An experienced agent like Rachel Stocker will hold your hand along the way and help you navigate this terrain, as she guides and informs you during the entire process.
Rachel’s personality and knowledge have allowed her to form lasting relationships with numerous people from the various Metro-West communities.
These connections with other agents, builders, inspectors and local administrators only help to make the process easier for Rachel’s buyers. Consult our step-by-step guide below on the process of buying a new home.
Our Buying Process
01
Connect
Reach out to Your Rutledge Agent, a licensed real estate professional. They will work as your advocates and trusted advisors to help guide your search.
01
Connect
Reach out to Your Rutledge Agent, a licensed real estate professional. They will work as your advocates and trusted advisors to help guide your search.
02
Get Pre-Approved
Before beginning your search, your first step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan (unless you will be paying in cash for the full price of your home). Your Rutledge Agent can connect you to a proven mortgage broker who will offer competitive interest rates and desirable financing packages and options. Based on your income and credit history, the mortgage broker will determine how much the bank will lend you, which will help determine the price range for your search.
02
Get Pre-Approved
Before beginning your search, your first step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan (unless you will be paying in cash for the full price of your home). Your Rutledge Agent can connect you to a proven mortgage broker who will offer competitive interest rates and desirable financing packages and options. Based on your income and credit history, the mortgage broker will determine how much the bank will lend you, which will help determine the price range for your search.
03
Visit Properties
Your Rutledge Agent will guide and instruct you during viewings and open houses spanning a range of areas and property types. Now is the time to consider your ideal home’s accessibility and amenities.
03
Visit Properties
Your Rutledge Agent will guide and instruct you during viewings and open houses spanning a range of areas and property types. Now is the time to consider your ideal home’s accessibility and amenities.
04
Make an Offer
Once you have seen a home you like, you submit an “offer,” which outlines the price, terms, and timing of the purchase. Your Rutledge Agent will provide advice on pricing, and guide you through the competitive process typical in this market.
04
Make an Offer
Once you have seen a home you like, you submit an “offer,” which outlines the price, terms, and timing of the purchase. Your Rutledge Agent will provide advice on pricing, and guide you through the competitive process typical in this market.
05
Negotiate
If your offer is lower than the list price, the seller will likely return with a counter-offer price, which you can choose to accept, reject, or make another offer. We will provide advice throughout to ultimately reach an agreement with the seller on price and terms.
05
Negotiate
If your offer is lower than the list price, the seller will likely return with a counter-offer price, which you can choose to accept, reject, or make another offer. We will provide advice throughout to ultimately reach an agreement with the seller on price and terms.
06
Home Inspection
After your offer is accepted, typically within 7 – 10 days you will conduct a home inspection. Talk with your agent about this process and they can connect you with trusted home inspection professionals.
06
Home Inspection
After your offer is accepted, typically within 7 – 10 days you will conduct a home inspection. Talk with your agent about this process and they can connect you with trusted home inspection professionals.
07
Sign Purchase & Sale and Pay Deposit
Your Rutledge agent will provide you with recommendations for a real estate attorney if you need one. Your attorney will walk you through the contractual process and explain the purchase and sale agreement. The buyer typically puts down a 5% deposit.
07
Sign Purchase & Sale and Pay Deposit
Your Rutledge agent will provide you with recommendations for a real estate attorney if you need one. Your attorney will walk you through the contractual process and explain the purchase and sale agreement. The buyer typically puts down a 5% deposit.
08
Complete Loan Application
The bank will organize the appraisal, search the title and finalize the paperwork so your loan is “cleared to close”
08
Complete Loan Application
The bank will organize the appraisal, search the title and finalize the paperwork so your loan is “cleared to close”
09
Closing Scheduled by Attorneys
09
Closing Scheduled by Attorneys
10
Final Walk-Through with Your Agent
A review of the property to confirm that it is in the same physical condition as when you signed the purchase and sale agreement.
10
Final Walk-Through with Your Agent
A review of the property to confirm that it is in the same physical condition as when you signed the purchase and sale agreement.
11
Closing
Congratulations, you are now a home owner!
11
Closing
Congratulations, you are now a home owner!