Are you contemplating buying your home in Tampa?

With some up-front planning, buying a home isn't too hard, but the event can be stressful for a lot of people. I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the entire deal so they understand exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are several things you'll want to take into account before commencing your home search. It's likely that you'll want to put together an outline of features you need, plan for what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good principle to follow is that your mortgage payment should be a third of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Tampa
This is where LE Real Estate Group Inc. comes in. I'd like to plan a time to get together with you and speak with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Tampa area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

In addition, I'll assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Tampa, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They will assist you in choosing which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After our initial meeting, I'll start finding available houses on the market that are good for you. I'll preview many of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll point out positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you about things you like and don't like. Usually, buyers amend their wish list as we tour homes and some items become far more important than others. If that's the case, I'll search the listings again and narrow it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a feel for the housing market
An agent's understanding of the Tampa market is a leading agent in your home search. And I can assure you I'm conscious of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can alert you to what neighborhoods are "hot" and demand prompt action and the others that are "cold" and allow for more consideration.

When we tour houses, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's list price has room for bargaining and when I think the house is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent in Tampa will claim to truly know the home market, but take notice, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. If things don't add up, contact me at 813-322-3222 or e-mail me at andrew.callander@pipelineroi.com, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream house
I'm confident we'll find the house of your dreams in the Tampa area. When that happens, I'll meticulously create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind, including several contingencies, such as getting financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

Upon presenting your purchase offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's often applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most deals aren't closed on the first offer. It's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll create a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
After the contract is finalized, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. This shouldn't be a long process at all if you're already pre-approved, but you'll need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.>

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of accepting your loan application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements order that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most often take place at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and easygoing event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, be sure to contact me at 813-322-3222 or send me an e-mail.