Did you know that first time buyers make up 33 percent of the homeowners in the United States of America? Making the decision to buy a house in the US is a big step, and there are a number of important things that you’ll want to consider before moving forward with the transaction.
Knowing the steps that make up the process of buying a house is important because you won’t be caught off guard and you’ll be prepared each step of the way. Buying a home might seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be that way.
The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn all about the things that you need to know in order to buy a house. Keep reading to learn more about US real estate and how to buy a house in the US today.
Prove Who You Are
The first step in the process of buying a home is to prove that you are who you claim to be. You won’t need citizenship or any type of special visa in order to purchase a home in the United States.
You’ll need a taxpayer identification number in order to buy a house. This number gets assigned to you by the IRS when you pay income taxes as a foreign national in the United States of America. You’ll also need to bring a valid passport or a driver’s license to prove that you are who you say you are.
Plan On Getting a Mortgage
The next step in buying a house in the United States involves planning on getting a mortgage. If you’re lucky enough to have the necessary capital to purchase your home in cash then you can skip this step. Getting a mortgage is great because it allows you to own a home without needing to save up for years and years.
Once you take out a mortgage you’ll start building equity in your home that you can take out to make other big investments like automobiles or additional properties. You can find plenty of great properties to consider buying at urbchicago.com.
There are certain steps that you’ll need to take to get a mortgage in the US. You’ll need to establish credit in the United States and you’ll need a healthy credit score. Consider opening US bank accounts and getting a credit card if you want to boost your credit score.
Hire a Real Estate Agent
Buying a home is an intimidating process, especially if you’re a first time buyer. If that describes your situation then you should consider hiring a real estate agent that will help you with the process of finding and purchasing a home.
A good real estate agent will save you time and money because they’ll do all of the legwork in order to find your dream home in the perfect area. They’ll also negotiate with the seller or the seller’s agent on your behalf and save you that stressful experience.
Your best bet is to reach out to a number of reputable real estate agents in your area and meet with them to get a feel for their personality. They’ll also give you an idea of what your budget should be based on what you’re looking for when buying a home.
See Multiple Homes
Once you’ve hired a real estate agent, you’ll start getting homes sent to you that meet most or all of your criteria. Make sure that you take time to check out as many of these homes as possible. This is your chance to get to know the home, the neighborhood, and the area as a whole. You’ll learn about the different amenities offered by the neighborhood.
The best way to get started is to be open with your real estate agent about what your budget is and what things are important to you during the process of buying a house. They’ll have a much easier time finding homes that appeal to your wants and needs.
It is also wise to drive through the neighborhoods that you like to see if there are any homes up for sale there. Try to attend as many open houses as you can as well.
Make an Offer
So you’ve finally found that perfect house and it is within or close to your housing budget. This is where the process of buying a house starts to get really exciting. Making a fair but attractive offer for the house of your dreams is a great way to entice the seller to move forward with the transaction.
Your real estate agent should be active in helping you prepare your offer package for this dream home. They’ll help you come up with an appropriate offer price and take care of your preapproval letter. They’ll also take care of the proof of funds for the down payment on the new home.
Schedule the Home Inspection
The home inspection will also need to be scheduled to ensure that you’re not getting a bad deal on a home that seems flawless. You’ll get a much clearer idea of the maintenance needs of the home and any structural issues that you need to be aware of. This is an important step that will help you move towards the closing process.
Make sure that you work with an experienced and reputable home inspector for this step.
Close On Your New Home
The last step of buying a house in the US is closing on your new home and making it officially yours. This step occurs once all of the contingencies get met and you’re happy with the way the home looks after the walkthrough.
It is at this point that the closing agent will allow you to make the purchase official. You’ll get the keys and the house of your dreams will finally be yours.
Now You’re Ready to Buy a House in the US
Making the decision to buy a house in the US is a big step towards becoming the owner of your dream home in your dream neighborhood. Make sure that you’re shopping for the best mortgage options based on your finances and your needs. You should also consider hiring a real estate agent to help you navigate the process of buying a house.
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