The Homebuyer Checklist: Everything From Choosing Your Agent to Closing

When it comes to buying a home it can be easy to get overwhelmed. We are here to help! Today we put together a checklist for all homebuyers. This is an eight-step checklist that covers everything from choosing your agent to closing on your home! 

1. Meet with a Realtor - You'll decide what type of home you're looking for, including the style, price range, neighborhood, and more.
2. Get Pre-Approved - Your Oakridge agent can assist in getting you connected with a local lender. Getting pre-approved will determine what your price range is on the home you can afford.
3. Look a Properties - The fun part! You will view properties that match your search criteria. Be sure to take notes - which properties meet most/or all of the items. on your wish list. 
4. Submit an Offer - Your Oakridge Agent will help you make an offer on the home base on comparable properties. When you are comfortable with the price and the terms of the offer, your agent will submit it to the seller/seller's agent. Your agent will guide you through the negotiations process. You'll need to provide earnest money, and it will be deposited into a trust account. 
5. Negotiate & Accept an Offer - Your agent will guide you through the negotiations process. When the offer is accepted you will need to provide earnest money. The earnest money will be deposited into a trust account until closing.
6. Conduct/Schedule Inspection - 
7. Finalize Loan Details with Your Lender - At this time you will connect with the lender you were pre-approved with. 
8. Remove Contingencies - You and your agent will work together to remove any contingencies by the agreed upon date. Some common contingencies include home sale, inspection, appraisal, and financing.
9. Final Walkthrough - The day before closing you and your Oakridge agent will do a final walkthrough of the home. The final walkthrough is to ensure everything is completed and the home is ready to move in!
10. Closing - Happy Dance! On closing day you will meet with your agent, you lender, and the seller to sign closing documents. This is when you will officially get key to your new home!