Ready to buy your first home in St. Petersburg in 2022?  We specialize in helping first-time home buyers like you find their dream property in Florida. Keep reading to jump into the easy steps to buying your first 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

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.

Pre-approval is good for about 30-90 days, so once you’re ready, take these first 3 steps to get it done.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Credit Analysis
            2. Mortgage Application
            3. Income and Asset Review

Once you’ve got your pre-approval letter in hand, it’s time to start the search!

Needs vs Wants

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.

Needs are the non-negotiable features; the features you simply must-have in your next 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.

The Search

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.

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 escrow deposit of at least 1-2% of the purchase price. This will go towards your closing costs at closing.

Have more questions about buying your first home or what happens after making an offer? Reach out to us today and let’s get the process started!