Buying a Home

10 Steps to Buying a Home

A home is a big investment for most people, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Hanson’s Realty and Hanson’s Mobile Home Sales offer a dependable place to go for people who want home ownership options in the Greater Sacramento Area. We will take the time you need to find the perfect home based on your preferences and budget.

Our Real Estate Brokerage specializes in all types of residential real estate options. We have experience in finding and negotiating home buying terms that meet your needs. As a MLS member, we have access to a wide array of housing options that can be viewed on our website.

Many people are finding that Mobile Home ownership is a great blend of comfort and affordability. Mobile Home transactions have rules and regulations that are distinct from other kinds of real estate. Hanson’s Mobile Home Sales are experts in this field and offer mobile homes for buyers who choose the advantages of lower ownership costs over higher-priced real estate or rentals.

Here are 10 Steps to Buying a Home

1. Learn about your options. Buying a home starts with a decision to find out what your options might include. You don’t need to have it all figured out yet; we are here to help you get comfortable with your options and familiarized with the process of home ownership that fits your needs. We help buyers find useful information about home affordability and home buying market conditions. We believe that buyers who know their options and costs can be more confident about their purchasing decisions.

2. Get pre-qualified for a home loan. Before you make any offers on a new home, we encourage you to contact a lender or loan broker to get pre-qualified for a loan. Sellers don’t want to see your offer until you can prove you’re qualified for financing. If you don’t have a lender, we can provide a list of them for you to contact. What are lenders looking for when going through the pre-qualification process? In general, they look at your overall financial condition, debts, income, and credit scores. Everyone has their own unique financial circumstances; it’s good to have a conversation with one or more lenders to find what loan option is best for you.

3. Save up your down payment in a bank account. Lenders want to know where your down payment money comes from. A home purchase down payment can be gifted to you. So be sure to document any new and unordinary deposits you may use for your down payment.

4. Delay new purchases.  Don’t make any new purchases that may increase your monthly payments unless approved first by your lender. These may lower what you are qualified to purchase, or worse yet prevent your home purchase. Put off these purchases until after your home has been purchased.

5. Avoid voluntary job changes until after your home has been purchased. Discuss job changes with your lender.

6. Begin your home search! With a pre-qualification letter in hand, it’s time to shop for a new home! Our website is a great tool for you to browse for available homes. Discuss your home requirement wish list with us and the locations you prefer. We are very experienced and will create a game plan to find available homes that meet your needs.

7. Look for good value with the help of your agent. We will be able to assist you in evaluating the offer price and condition of the home you are considering purchasing. Making an offer on a home is big decision and we will help you understand your options for making an offer.

8. Make a home inspection part of your offer. We can arrange for an independent assessment of the home by a qualified inspector. You have the option of not buying a home that has significant issues found during the home inspections.

9. Keep organized during the actual purchase process. There are a lot of things on your mind at this point. As your agent, we will be there to help you keep organized with lender needs, inspections, appraisals, moving needs, schedules, insurance, and unknown things that invariably come up. We will be there for you!

10. Complete your home purchase. Congratulations! There is a lot of work that has gone on in the background to make sure all of the needed steps have been completed and approved for your new home. It’s time to complete your home purchase at what is called a “closing”, where all of the legal papers are signed, and you receive the keys to your new home!