Thinking of buying your first home in 2022? This guide is for you.
Ready to buy your first home in the Atlanta area in 2022? You are in the right place! I’m an Atlanta native and love helping first time buyers (as well as seasoned ones!) like you find their dream property in metro Atlanta.
Below I’ve broken down home buying into 3 simple steps. If you want to dive deeper, you can download my Guide for Home Buyer’s Guide (it’s a freebie!) right here:
First off, the process can feel complicated, but really the very first step is simple. Before you start searching for homes online, it's important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
Your pre-approval will tell you what you can afford and what your monthly payment will be, so it's important to determine this before you start searching for your new home.
“ Before you start searching for homes online, it’s important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage.”
Pre-approval is good for about 30-90 days, so once you're ready, take these first 3 steps to get it done.
Contact me here and I’ll send over a list of lenders I know and trust.
Look over the list, check out online reviews, and ask friends and family for referrals.
Email 2-3 lenders you like or let me introduce you over email.
Usually the lenders will get your basic financial information and it just takes about 15 minutes. Once you've got your pre-approval letter in hand, it's time to start the search!
Step 2: The Home Search!
Before we hop into the home search, I like to advise my clients to create a "Needs" list and a "Wants" list. This will help us to really focus on the things that are most important in your future home in Atlanta.
Needs are the non-negotiable features; the features you simply must have in your next Atlanta home. Wants are the ones you’d like to have, but you can add or change down the road. Remember, you can’t change the lot or the location so make sure you love both. This is key!!
Once you've established what you're looking for, I will set you up on a search so you can receive an email the second a home that fits your criteria goes live. If you have any questions about a property, send me the information and I will find out for you. Send me listings you like and I can get more information and set up showings on your behalf.
Step 3: Making an Offer!
After touring houses and choosing the one you love, it's time to make an offer. To do this, you'll need your pre-approval letter or proof of funds. You'll also need to make an earnest money deposit of at least 1-2% of the purchase price. This will go towards your closing costs at closing. More details about what to expect when making offers are in my Buyer’s Guide (link above!)
Have more questions about buying a home or what happens after making an offer? Reach out to me today!
