It takes more than good luck to get the right home at the right price. One advantage you can have on your side is a conditional loan pre-approval. When you are pre-approved your offer is more attractive because the seller doesn't have to wonder if you can afford to buy. The seller will know in advance that your offer is as good as money in the bank.
- Pre-approval versus pre-qualification
A pre-approval is a conditional loan approval from a lender based on your application. Pre-approval differs from pre-qualification, which is a verbal exchange with a lender about how much you can probably afford. Pre-qualification does not obligate the bank to make the loan, whereas a pre-approval is a conditional loan commitment. Final approval is made when both your finances and the property pass review. - Close the deal faster
Lining up your mortgage loan before you start house hunting could make buying your new home quicker and easier. A pre-approval can speed closing because most of the paperwork is already in place for the loan. You have already started to learn about the financing process, and any problems will have been resolved.
Negotiating is an important part of many home sales. If you have found the home you want, but the price isn't just right, both you and the seller may have to adjust your expectations to close the sale and get you in the door.
When buying a home, leave yourself the option to get a second opinion. Consider putting a contingency clause in your offer that allows you to get a home inspection and cancel the sale if the results of the inspection are unsatisfactory. If there are serious problems, a home inspection can prevent some serious hassles.
Settlement it the last step in home buying – before the moving begins, that is! Sometimes called closing, settlement is where the seller receives the funds from the buyer and the buyer gets proof of ownership. While everyone does their best to meet the settlement date, it is important to remember that many things can crop up to delay the settlement.
Whether you buy a new house or one that has been occupied before, you want to make a final inspection before settlement. The "walk-through" should be scheduled long enough before settlement so any problems can be solved before you receive the keys.
Sometimes the amount of cash needed to close a sale comes as a shock to the buyer. Taxes, recording fees, insurance premiums, pro-rated interest, escrow deposits and other expenses can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. Rather than reduce the down payment to pay these costs, many homebuyers have other sources of funds they might not think of using.
Some buyers reduce the cash needed at settlement by scheduling closing at the end of the month. But there are several other ways to save on closing costs that may work better in the long run.
When you apply for a mortgage, the lender must respond with a Good Faith Estimate of Closing Costs, which explains the costs you will likely have to pay at settlement. But the numbers on the form are estimates, and the final tally could be higher or lower.
Once you’ve signed a contract to buy a house, the preparation for settlement begins. Settlement, or closing escrow, is the process of transferring the title (ownership) of the home from seller to buyer. Often, the real estate agents involved in the sale help you take care of these arrangements. But the buyer and seller are ultimately responsible for attending to these details. Here are the basics.