Buying a home in the San Francisco Peninsula should be a memorable and positive experience. Read more to find out how the Zach Trailer Group can help you purchase your dream home.
The home buying process
- Hire a Realtor®.
When you’re buying a home in the Peninsula, it’s best to get in touch with a professional who knows the ins and outs of the community and the local market. The Zach Trailer Group offers excellent customer service and unparalleled expertise in buying homes in the San Francisco Peninsula.
- Get pre-approved for a loan.
One of your must-haves in home buying is a mortgage pre-approval. It makes any offers you make all the more attractive, as a pre-approval letter indicates you’ve already met with a loan officer and that you qualify for a mortgage program.
Take note that getting pre-approved for a loan isn’t an automatic commitment. However, it does give your offer a boost as it displays your financial strength and capacity to borrow from reputable lenders. Home sellers are more inclined to consider offers from buyers who have adequate financing.
Getting pre-approved for a loan takes time. Therefore, it should be done in the earliest stages of your buying process. This way, when you start searching for homes, you already have a pre-approval letter to include in your offer.
- Determine the type of home you’re looking for.
Houses come in different shapes and sizes. Each have different features and amenities. Some are located in quieter neighborhoods, while others are located in hubs of activity. Before you begin your search, it’s important to identify the type of home you’re looking for.
Consider your needs, priorities, and your lifestyle. Are you staying for only a couple of years, or will this be a long-term investment? Do you want to be located close to shops, restaurants, and schools, or are you more attracted to secluded neighborhoods? Determine your must-haves home features, and the ones you can compromise.
This step will help you in home search, as it will effectively narrow down candidates depending on your priorities.
- Choose a home and make an offer.
When you find the home that fits your needs, there are three courses to take. You can accept the seller’s offer, make an offer based on the seller’s asking price, or come up with an entirely new offer with different terms.
The last two are subject to the seller’s acceptance.Let’s say the offer has been accepted. Before the closing starts, it’s important to take extra measures. One such step is calling in a professional inspector to take a look at the home. Keep an eye out on issues that can pose as a hazard, such as faulty wiring, structural problems, mold, etc.
Home inspections can help you make sure you get your money’s worth. The seller can choose to shoulder the repair and upgrade expenses, or lower the asking price of the home depending on negotiations.
- The closing process.
Once contingencies have been met and the home is deemed satisfactory, it’s time to begin the closing process. Call in a neutral third party to conduct the escrow. Make sure to review all related documents, including the contract, the title, and the sales agreement. At this point, you’ll also make the last payments.
Once everything is done, the title and keys will be turned over to you. Congratulations on your new home!
Are you ready to buy your dream home?
The Zach Trailer Group is one phone call or email away. To get started, get in touch by calling 650-906-8008 or sending an email to ztrailer@zachtrailer.com. For more information about home buying in the San Francisco Peninsula, browse our website.
