The Basics of Buying Houston Real Estate
Finding your dream home in Houston’s daunting real estate market can feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in! As a licensed and experienced Realtor®, I’ll be your partner and advocate throughout the entire buying journey. My name is Angel, and I’m dedicated to providing exceptional service and leveraging my expertise to make your homeownership goals a reality!
Why Choose Angel Fultz Realty?
Houston is my city, and I have a passion for helping people find the perfect place to live here! I’ve helped hundreds of clients just like you upgrade their housing and achieve their goals. I understand the nuances of the Houston market and can anticipate what savvy sellers might be looking for, giving you a strategic edge in negotiations. My expertise as a Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE®) elevates this even further. Although there are certainly a ton of real estate agents in Houston, very few will ever achieve this prestigious designation. It’s proof I’m dedicated to ensuring you get the best possible deal on your dream home.
Beyond my negotiation skills, I’m also a Pricing Strategy Advisor, ensuring you never overpay. I’ll meticulously analyze market data to determine the perfect offer price for the property you want. This not only saves you money but also strengthens your offer in a competitive market.
But my assistance extends far beyond simply making the best offer possible. My extensive network of trusted partners will become your network! Need a reliable inspector? I’ve got you covered. Looking for a lender who understands your unique financial situation? No problem. Even if you need recommendations for post-purchase repairs or renovations, I can connect you with the best contractors in town.
Experience the Best Real Estate Services in Houston
My ultimate goal is to make your homebuying experience in Houston fast, easy, and stress-free. This means clear, honest communication every step of the way. As your fiduciary, I’m legally and ethically bound to prioritize your needs above all else. You can count on me to be transparent, explain complex situations in a way you understand, and empower you to make informed decisions.
Finding your perfect home shouldn’t be a battle. Let me be your trusted advisor, negotiator, and guide. Together, we’ll navigate the Houston market with confidence and find the property that perfectly reflects your dreams.
Your Timeline for Buying Houston Real Estate
Some Houston real estate journeys are long, and some are short. But the steps are pretty much the same every time! Here is a timeline to illustrate what you’ll need to do to buy Houston real estate:
Using HAR.com and other online search platforms, research homes in the area(s) that you would like to live. Be sure to include features that are important to you such as number of bedrooms, finishes, size, and yard. Doing this early research will help you have a better understanding of the average costs of homes that meet your criteria, and allow you to adjust your criteria if needed.
Contact one or more mortgage brokers or lenders to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. One advantage to doing this at the beginning is that you will know your exact buying power so you aren’t considering homes that exceed your budget. Starting the pre-approval process early will also allow you to discover any areas of your financial history that need improvement.
Choosing the right real estate agent to represent you in the transaction is one of the most important decisions you will make during the process of buying a home. It is critical to select an agent that has experience buying homes similar to what you are considering and in your preferred geographic area. An agent with additional designations and certifications will stand out as an expert that prioritizes improving their negotiation techniques and other skills. Above all, your agent is a fiduciary so you need to select someone that you trust will prioritize your best interest over everything else.
Your agent and you will compile a list of homes from HAR.com and other online search platforms to tour in person. You may spend just one day or many months touring homes before finding “the one”. Viewing homes can be a lot of fun, but it can also be overwhelming. Pace yourself and try to limit the number of homes that you see to 5 per day. Even if you don’t like every home that you tour, remember that every home will give you additional perspective on what drives price and what is most important to you.
Once you find a home that you would like to offer on, your agent will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report with data about similar sold properties. Your agent will use this report to recommend an offer price and other terms of the offer. Your offer will be prepared based upon the terms that you specify and the offer will be sent to you to sign. Once signed by all buyers, the offer is sent to the listing agent and/or seller for consideration.
Once your offer is negotiated and accepted, it is time to conduct inspections. Common inspections are the general inspection of the condition of the structure, the appraisal inspection of the value of the property, the survey inspection of the land boundaries, and the title inspection of the ownership and liens attached to the property. It is critical to conduct a thorough due diligence to ensure that you know what you are buying.
During the inspection period, you will have undoubtedly noticed the lender requesting many different financial documents. The underwriter has been using the information in these documents to get you approved for a mortgage loan and the appraisal to verify the home is eligible as collateral for the loan. Once the underwriter has satisfied these requirements, your financing will be finalized.
After all inspections are completed and negotiated, and your loan is approved, it’s time to close. Closing is usually held at a title company where you will sign documents related to the loan and to transfer ownership. You’ll also pay your down payment and closing costs at this time.
Once all parties have signed, and the funds for the loan are received at the title company, the transaction will be “closed and funded”, and you will receive the keys to your home. Congratulations!
If that seems like a lot of steps, well, it is! That’s why I’m here to guide you through this process to ensure that you enjoy the best odds possible of landing your dream home. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me now for answers!
Let’s Get Started!
There’s no perfect time to go shopping for Houston real estate, so there’s no sense in waiting around. If you feel ready to buy, let’s talk! Every successful real estate transaction begins with a simple conversation. We’ll talk about your goals and where you’re at financially and create a winning plan together. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you find a home that you’ll love to call your own. Contact me today and let’s get started!
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