Pam's Prescott Blog

I am being contacted by more and more new buyers who want to know...How Do You Buy a House?  That's right...lots of people aren't quite sure.  So if you are one of them, here's a guide.  You can find more detailed info on each topic throughout my site.

#1 - Contact a Realtor - It's fun to look around by yourself, but once you are really, truly ready to buy, don't try to find your dream home alone.  There are so many choices today that you want to see more than one home before deciding, don't you?  Get a referral from a friend, do some research on the web, or call some names and start talking.  Once you decide on a Realtor, stick with her!   A good Realtor will get your information, find out what you want to spend, take note of what kind of home will meet your needs and desires, and put you in touch with the next person in line: your lender. (Unless of course, you have cash, in which case, skip to point #3.

#2 - Get Pre-Qualified - There is no point in looking at homes unless you know how much you can afford and what kind of money down you will need.  You'll also want to find out about the great new programs out there for first-time home buyers, like the $8000 tax credit and the Your Way Home Arizona program, which gives up to 20% down at no interest!  It doesn't cost money to get pre-qualified.  Make sure you shop for the best interest rates and the lowest fees.  Your Realtor can help put you in touch with the right people.

#3 - Start looking - After you talk to your Realtor, she will get a list of homes together for you to see.  I've seen people find the perfect home on the first day, and others I've worked with for over a year.  Don't rush this step, but be prepared to move quickly when the right property comes along.

#4 - Write an offer - Once you've found something you love, your Realtor will help you put together an offer to purchase your new home.  She'll guide you through the process of negotiating, inspecting your new home, getting paperwork together for the lender and the title agent, and closing.  She'll also look out for your interests, protect your rights, and make sure that you don't make any costly mistakes along the way.

That's pretty much it!  Having the right people working for you is key.  If you are ready to start, give me a call!