The Home Buying Process

You've found a house you love. It has the perfect living room or that playroom you've always wanted for kids. But it's not yours yet. First you have to make an offer, in writing, and submit it to the sellers. This is usually done through your agent, and is accompanied by your earnest money, which is a pre-determined amount of money, demonstrating that your offer is serious. 

Follow the advice of your agent or lawyer when deciding how best to make your offer. Here are examples of some things your offer should include:

• The price you're willing to pay.
• When you want to move in.
• What kind of inspections you'd like to have (structural, electrical, plumbing).
• If your ability to buy the house depends on your ability to get financing (which is taken care of if you're preapproved by us).
• The amount of time both you and the seller have to make all these things happen (usually 30 to 60 days).

The seller usually has 24 to 48 hours to consider your offer or make a counter offer. A counter offer falls under the terms you presented but the sellers want a change(s). 
When you both agree on terms, you have a deal. You sign a contract and your earnest check goes in an escrow account.

Inspections

It is always wise to make your offer "contingent on inspection."  That means that your offer isn't valid until the home has been carefully examined by a qualified home inspector. Home inspectors are trained to take a critical look at various aspects of a home including:

• Foundation
• Plumbing
• Heating and cooling system
• Electrical system
• Roof
• Closing