When people set out to buy a home, one of the first people they turn to is a realtor. But to many people, the idea of using a sales professional who is interested in generating the largest possible commission does not appeal to them. It is possible to buy a home without a realtor, and it is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.
Make Your Wish List
The first step to buying a home is to create a list of features and amenities that you must have in your next home, and then create a list of features and amenities you would like to have. Ideally, you will want to find a home that includes everything you want. But you may not be able to get every feature or amenity you want, so it pays to know exactly what you will be willing to do without.
Start Looking Around
You can use the Internet and local real estate magazines to start finding properties that match your list of features and amenities. You should also do research on the neighborhoods to see if there might be commercial development coming that would ruin your property value, or if there has been a gradual increase in the crime rates over the years. Remember to look for properties that are close to schools, hospitals and any other services you may feel are important to your family.
Get Pre-Approved
After putting together a list of potential properties you would want to see, your next step is to get pre-approved for your mortgage. Once you are pre-approved, you will know exactly how much of a home you can afford and this will help to narrow down your search.
Hire A Real Estate Attorney
You do not need a realtor to buy a home, but you should never try to buy a home without a real estate attorney. The paperwork required to finalize a real estate transaction can be complicated, and there are many things that can change between the time you make an offer and closing. A real estate attorney can handle all of the important details for you and make sure that your interests are protected.
Start Calling Property Owners
Once you have your loan pre-approved and your attorney in place, you can start calling property owners to set up times to look at properties. You may find that some sellers are using realtors, and that is fine. You can make appointments and do all of your dealings with the realtors on your own. You might even find that some of the realtors will offer their services to you to help you find a home, but you have already done all of the work you would need a realtor for.
You should be in no hurry to find the home that you want. Once you find one you like, you can submit an offer to the seller and see how things go. If you ever have a question about the process, you can ask your real estate attorney. Once you have a seller who accepts your bid, your attorney will take it from there and help you to have a smooth journey to your closing.
Jim Treebold is a North Carolina based writer. He lives by the mantra of “Learn 1 new thing each day”! Jim loves to write, read, pedal around on his electric bike and dream of big things. Drop him a line if you like his writing, he loves hearing from his readers!