DETERMINE YOUR GOALS
So you’re thinking about buying a home - congrats! The first step now is to ask yourself, “What do I want in a home? Do I need/want a newer home, larger home, closer location, smaller mortgage, or a better school?" Spending time prioritizing your goals will help you better plan your home search and avoid falling in love with a beautiful kitchen or back yard that’s too far from work or costs more than you can afford. In the end, you’ll be better served and ultimately find the home you really love.
So maybe we’re a little biased in this regard, but take a peek at the rest of this list. There’s a lot to do and having a great REALTOR® in your corner can help educate you on the Austin real estate market and areas or neighborhoods, find off-market listings, negotiate a good deal, handle the closing process and introduce you to quality service providers such as lenders, inspectors, contractors, and more. Of course, you want an agent who always puts your goals first - and that's exactly what you can expect from your REILLY REALTOR®. We invite you to learn more about us and get to know our amazing team members.
SET A BUDGET
“How much do you want to spend?” is such an awkward question, but oh so important! When it comes to choosing a home you love, your financial situation can make or break your decision. Lots of factors can influence your budget, from the down payment to the monthly costs of owning a home. Take some time to crunch the numbers and come up with an amount you're comfortable spending. Need help? We're happy to assist!
APPLY FOR FINANCING
While it may seem early to get qualified for a home loan, experience tells us it's never too early! The world of home financing can be difficult to understand, but your REALTOR® can recommend a trusted local lender to help you learn the process. Sit down with your preferred lender and get a pre-approval letter to show you're financially ready to buy a new home. You'll stand out from the crowd when you start shopping for homes.
PICK AN AREA
With over 2,000 neighborhoods in the Austin area, finding the right one may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. When deciding where to live, go back to your goals. If you want to live closer to work or within a certain school district, start checking out neighborhoods in the area. Your budget can also help you narrow down the contenders, as can advice from a trusted REALTOR® .
Now that you've got your finances straight and favorite neighborhoods picked out, it's time for the fun part- shopping for homes! Online is the best place to start and there are so many ways to find Austin Homes for Sale on our site. Browse listings in your preferred neighborhood, city, or school district. Set up and save searches to receive alerts when new homes come on the market that meet your criteria. Use our advanced tools to further refine your search. You can even see all upcoming open houses in the Austin area!
You've fallen in love with Austin homes online, but there's no substitute for seeing them in person. Your REALTOR®will schedule tours of your favorite homes and meet with you and builders if new construction is of interest. Take your time at each stop and try to imagine living there. Don't forget to consider the neighborhood and surroundings, like major shopping centers and highways. This is your chance to experience potential communities and homes before you purchase!
EXECUTE A CONTRACT
You've chosen a home, so now it’s time to make it yours! The first step is to submit an offer to the seller. This is where a having strong, experienced REALTOR® is especially advantageous. Your REILLY REALTOR® will ensure your offer is clean and well considered, making it easy for a seller to accept. With your input, your agent will handle negotiations with the seller and make sure any additional paperwork is completed correctly. Once the seller accepts your offer, you are under contract and the countdown to owning your new home starts!
INSPECT THE PROPERTY
While your new home may seem perfect, there may be hidden problems. The trained eye of an inspector can reveal potential pitfalls before you purchase the home. An inspector will check the overall structure, appliances, HVAC - all the way down to faucets and fixtures. Your REILLY REALTOR® will review the inspection results with you to decide if any repairs or negotiations are necessary before closing.
CLOSE THE DEAL
Closing is an exciting time since it marks the date your new home officially becomes yours! At your scheduled closing time, you will meet your REALTOR® and lender at the title company to sign a mountain of paperwork. Once your signature is on every page and the funds are received by the seller, the home is yours. Time to celebrate and start moving in!
POST CLOSING TASKS
As you’re settling into your new home, there are a few small tasks to handle, like changing your locks and your address. Also, be sure to file your homestead exemption! Complete this one time task in January of the new year, and save money on your property taxes year after year. Keep in touch with your REALTOR® for recommendations of service vendors and to get any additional questions answered. Your REILLY REALTOR® is always happy to help!