Buying your first home? Here are three real estate professionals you’ll come in contact with during the weeks ahead as you make the leap from renting to owning your own home:
Mortgage loan officer. Before you look at a single home, you should get pre-approved for financing from a reputable mortgage company. Once you’re pre-approved, you’ll know how much home you can afford.
Realtor. Next, you’ll need a Realtor who can guide you through the home-buying process. Remember, this is one of the most important — not to mention largest — purchases of your life. So get some help from an experienced real estate professional. You’ll be working closely with your Realtor from the time you start hunting for a house to the time you close.
Title officer. Once you make an offer and it is accepted by the seller, you’ll need a reputable title company to handle the closing of your home purchase. You can either choose one yourself, or let your Realtor make a recommendation. Once you do, you’ll be assigned a title officer who will set up an account for your earnest money, which often accompanies the offer on your home. Expect the title company to play an important role in wrapping up the purchase of your home. Your title officer will be there on closing day to help explain the mounds of documents you’ll be asked to sign. This is when you find out when your first mortgage payment is due and where you should send it.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of any of these three professionals. We’re here to help you become a homeowner!