Here are the initial steps when buying your first home.
First, it’s’ never too early to get started. From the time you start seriously looking for a home until the time you close you can expect it to take about 2-3 months. It typically takes about 2-6 weeks to be under contract for your home, and if you are obtaining financing for your loan, it then takes the lender about 30 additional days to be ready to close. Many of our clients love to schedule our first meeting well in advance of starting to view homes as they feel more comfortable having the extra time to be educated on the market and what to expect during the buying process.
The next step we recommend before starting to look at homes is to get pre-approved by a lender. This is for two reasons. The first is that most sellers will not accept a buyer’s offer without having a letter from their lender. The second reason is to confirm the price you’re shopping within is a price the lender will provide a loan for; it can be disappointing to get excited about homes at a higher price point to then learn you’re not able to obtain a loan at this price.
And, last before looking at homes, it’s important to discuss in depth with your agent what is important to you in your home. This includes the size of the home you would like, the layout, whether you’re open to doing any renovations or would like it to be move in ready and the area that you would like to live. Many of our clients are new to Austin, and they’re not certain about area. If this is the case for you, based on your lifestyle, the amenities you’d like to be near, the type of home you’d like and the price you’d like to stay within, your agent will be able to make super area recommendations.
Contact us to learn more!
