Ready To Buy a Home?

Commencing your home search can sometimes feel like an overwhelming and nerve-wracking task. With Lindsey Hammond as your Realtor, it’s easy to understand the steps I take to find your dream home! I’ve broken it down into these 7:

1. Meet to Discuss Your Wants/Needs

   The first step is getting to know each other. We can sit down over coffee or here at the the Triple R Real Estate office in Carrollton to talk through the process of buying a home with the Pink Realtor. I’ll answer any questions you have, then I’ll ask some of my own to help me learn what you’re looking for in a new home.

2. Mortgage Pre-Qualification

   I’ll connect you with one of several local lenders that I trust to take good care of you. Be prepared to dig into paperwork — pay stubs, W2s, and tax returns. The lender will do a full review of your finances. Then tell you how much you’ll be able to borrow in order to purchase a home.
   
   This is a VITAL step in the home buying process. Always strive to use a lender with a solid reputation for closing loans on time. Now is not the time to trust your cousin’s friend’s sister who recently got into the lending business!

3. Start Sending You Homes

   Based on the wishlist we discussed in Step 1, I’ll start notifying you about new listings that fit your criteria. We can always tweak your criteria if you’re not seeing any listings that look like a good fit. Be sure to let me know if one (or more) appeals to you so that I can jump to the next step and schedule a viewing and so I can learn more about your style!

4. Look at Homes

   Here’s where the buying process gets really fun! I’ll schedule viewings of the homes that have caught your eye and walk through them together. We’ll discuss what you like and dislike about each home. I’ll use my experience to point out any pros or cons that you might have missed during the walkthrough. As your list narrows, we’ll talk about your budget and make sure that we find you the perfect home.

5. Write an Offer

   Once you’ve found the home you want to buy, it’s time to write an offer — a little scary, but very exciting! With my experience and knowledge of the local market, I can help
   you write the strongest offer possible. Three things can happen when putting in an offer on a house:
   – The offer is accepted.
   – The offer is rejected.
   – You get a counteroffer.
   
   I’ll walk you through each of those possibilities and how to handle them. When the offer is accepted, it’s time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s on your financing, and move forward to the next step!

6. Appraisal & Inspection

   After the seller accepts your offer, the home goes through the appraisal and inspection process. These are the last big steps before you get the keys to your home! The appraisal guarantees that the price of the home matches the condition of the home, while the inspection makes sure that everything in the home is functioning properly and there are no major issues inside.

7. Closing & Keys

   Woo-hoo! It’s closing day! Be ready for a lot of paperwork — most of which will require your signature. I’ll schedule this with the lawyer and loan officers involved, and make sure you know what to bring to the closing (including your down payment if applicable).
   
   Congratulations, you’re a homeowner! You’ll get keys to your new home and start moving in. As soon as the kitchenware is unpacked, grab a glass of your favorite beverage and raise a toast in celebration.

   
   Even though the home purchase is complete, you’ll be what I call a “Forever Client” and I’ll always be available to help with anything that arises or answer any questions you have about your home, about the West Georgia or East Alabama area … anything!