The Key People You Need on Your Team When Buying A Home
They say it takes a village to raise a child. 100% agree with this. I know what it takes when raising two kids. I have seen it through my own eyes with my children. When people come together and contribute their individual knowledge and strengths to raising the child, the end result is rewarding. The same can be said about buying a home. A successful home purchase can be traced back to the team of people who came together to make it happen. From the very first step you decide to buy a home to the day you move in, having a solid and professional team behind you can mean the difference between a house buying experience.
Here are the key people you need on your team for a successful home buying experience:
Mortgage Broker: Mortgage Brokers are essential in the home buying process because they work independently from certain products and lenders, and are solely focused on finding a loan program that works for your specific situation. Mortgage brokers can help you navigate the overwhelming process of obtaining grants and walk you through the mountains of paperwork necessary to qualify for assistance. They can also help you understand the different types of mortgages and provide tools, tips and resources to help you get started on your home buying journey.
Attorney– An Attorney’s job is to make sure all of the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed when it comes to the details and legalities of buying a home. Your attorney will make sure everything is done the right way and can help to make sure all the documents you’re signing are in your best interest and protect you in case something goes wrong. Your attorney can also walk you through the contract and answer any questions you may have about the fine print and legal jargon that comes with buying a home.
Real Estate Agent– A Real Estate Agent has access to a wide variety of resources and connections that can help you find the home of your dreams. A good real estate agent is important to have on your team because they work tirelessly to find a home based on your budget, style and preferences. A professional real estate agent will listen carefully to your criteria and might even be able to find you a home that is even off market through their own company database of professionals. Having their experience, knowledge and resources on your team is an integral part in buying a house.
As a Buyer: Remember this: There is no cost to you. I 100% recommend a buyer’s agent to represent you through the process. It is free. They will be able to answer all of your questions. They have a wealth of knowledge that is vital to finding the right home and they represent YOU, not the seller.
Lenders– Lenders are vital in the home buying process because, unless you’re buying the home with cash, you’re going to need someone to spot you the money. You want to work with a lender who can offer you a mortgage with the right features, and without a crazy high interest rate. The options for lenders are endless, but your Broker can point you in the right direction and get you that mortgage you’ve always wanted.
Accountants – Thank goodness for math nerds! The Accountant is responsible for making sure all of the numbers add up, and will help you structure your finances so that you’re making smart money choices. Taxes, documentation and interest rates are what an accountant does best; so leave the crunching of the numbers up to your accountant.
Inspector – Before you commit to buying a property, a thorough and professional inspection is required. The home could have unseen issues that could create a problem down the road, and that’s what an inspector’s job is to look out for those. Plumbing issues, pest issues, the condition of the roof, walls, windows and doors are all carefully inspected before you buy the home. If there are issues, you can use this info to re-negotiate the price of the house, or make a decision if you want to move forward with the purchase or not.
Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable, passionate, educated and experienced professionals will help you grow as a homebuyer and make the process as stress free as possible. Trying to do it all on your own, or not taking the time to create a solid team could cost you a lot of time and money, and possibly lose your dream home.
And if you don’t have any of these, we have a whole team of trusted professionals we work with from Mortgage Brokers, Attorneys, and Accountants.
With a strong team behind you, you can navigate the crazy home buying process and end up in the home you’ve always wanted.
