The Home Ownership Leap

Step #1—Ask Your Lender About Available Mortgage Programs: An experienced mortgage company should be able to work with you one-on-one to determine exactly which mortgage programs will meet your individual needs and what you can qualify for based on your personal information. Applicants with higher credit ratings and/or higher levels of financial reserves generally receive more competitive mortgage rates. But with hundreds of available mortgage programs, there is usually one to meet the needs of almost any homebuyer. For those with excellent credit, there is even a way to get a mortgage with 0% down. (For more information on this and other mortgage programs, check out http://www.coldwellbankermortgage.com.)

Step #2—Research the Terms of the Mortgage: Different mortgage lenders have varying price structures that can affect the amount that you pay for your home. An annual percentage rate (APR) includes the actual interest rate on the loan, as well as certain fees and costs associated with the loan. Because a customer may be paying points and other closing costs, the APR disclosed may appear to be higher than the actual interest rate quoted for the loan. Not all lenders calculate APR identically; however, it does give customers a relatively fair method of comparing price on their potential loans.

Step #3—Get a Pre-Qualified Loan Commitment: Even before the house hunting begins, homebuyers need to determine how much they can afford. Mortgage companies or other lending institutions provide pre-qualified loan commitments. Sellers often don't take an offer seriously unless the prospective first-time buyer has some assurance of creditworthiness from a mortgage company. Coldwell Banker® Mortgage goes one step further, offering qualified consumers pre-approvals, which carry more weight than a pre-qualification. A pre-approval with Coldwell Banker Mortgage means more because a full credit report is ordered on the customer so that a true loan decision can be made the same day a customer applies. Shopping for a home with a pre-approved mortgage enables a customer to negotiate as a cash buyer and submit an offer on a home with confidence that the mortgage will be issued and the sale will be completed.

Step #4—Do Your "Home-work": Be sure to go online to sites such as coldwellbanker.com to check for listings, neighborhood information, current mortgage information and home ownership services. The right amount of research will help you to better understand the marketplace and homes available in your price range when you're ready to work with a real estate professional.

Step #5—Make a Checklist: To help make the home buying process a little easier, homebuyers should create a checklist of the important features they want in a home. Location and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms are usually important. Other important questions to answer: What will the commute to work be like? Are there shopping centers, parks, and schools located near the home?

Step #6—Find a Buyer's Broker: A buyer's broker or agent represents the buyer's interests and helps identify homes that are for sale and in the right price range. The broker also can help with such tasks as writing contracts, negotiating the asking price, and closing the purchase. Click here to see a video on finding an agent.

Step #7—Make an Offer: Once you find the right house, make an offer. Make sure that your offer is contingent on two items: 1) You're able to obtain adequate financing (if you haven't done so already), and 2) you can pull out if the property doesn't pass the home inspection, and the owner can't come to terms about how to fix the problem. Be prepared for counter-offers from other buyers and some negotiation with the seller. Make an earnest money deposit, which is a check that you'll give your agent to indicate that you're serious about buying the house. The check will apply toward the sales price if the deal goes through; if not, you get it back. You should also set a time limit with your agent that the offer you've made is good for three days. If an offer is accepted, it goes to the contract phase.

Step #8—Hire A Home Inspector: Making an offer contingent on an inspection by a registered home inspector can save thousands of dollars by avoiding unseen problems. Inspectors will check the house for any structural damage. In the contract with the seller, it should state any necessary repairs that must be made before closing on the house. Prior to closing, walk through the house and check that such repairs have been completed.

Step #9—Buy Homeowners Insurance: Lenders require homeowners insurance to protect the new homebuyer's interests as well as their own. There are many providers so shop around for the best rates.

Step #10—The Closing: This is where the seller and buyer sign settlement-closing papers to transfer the ownership of the home and all transactions are finalized. Congratulations, you achieved the American dream and you are now a homeowner!