a Division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation NMLS 1850
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If you are ready to purchase your first home in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma area, it may be exciting, but it could also lead to a little bit of apprehension. The process can seem pretty daunting – we get it!

It is important to know where to start and the steps you will experience along the way.

Here are the key steps to the home-buying process.

  1. Get Pre-Approved

It may be tempting to jump right into looking at listings, but it is wise to take a step back and focus on finances first. A loan officer should be able to help you get pre-approved for a loan so you have a better understanding of what you can afford. A pre-approval will also give you buying power on the market as sellers will know you have the backing of a financial institution.

  1. Research Real Estate Agents

Do your homework to find a real estate agent that has good reviews and a track record in the neighborhoods you are interested in. Speaking of neighborhoods, begin to narrow down your priorities in terms of what is important to you not only with a home but its surrounding area. Take the time to potentially interview a couple of real estate agents to see if they are an ideal fit for you.

  1. Find a Home and Make an Offer

Once you have been working with your real estate agent and have done your research you will be ready to select a home to put an offer in on. Make sure to include your pre-approval in the offer, and possibly a personal letter describing why you like the home and why it would be good for your family. If your offer is accepted, you may be required to put down a deposit.

  1. Loan Processing/Underwriting

Your loan will now be processed and an underwriter may reach out to you for additional information outside of what you already submitted during the pre-approval process. Additionally, at this time a home appraisal and other inspections may be called for on the home.

  1. Sign Documents

On signing day, you will work with your lender and escrow officer to finalize all of your documents. You will learn about the terms of your loan. Once this is complete, the loan is funded and the keys are handed over to your new home.

There may be other small steps that come up along the way, but the above provides a general scope of what to expect during the home-buying process. If you are ready to get pre-approved for a loan, contact us today!

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