The 10 Most Common Home Buyer Questions
Buying a home is exciting and terrifying, all at the same time. There are many steps to the process and each one can create a new set of questions. Knowing the answers to the 10 most common home buying questions can alleviate some of the stress that comes with buying real estate. Buying a home may seem intimidating, but a good REALTOR® will make it much easier. They will take care of you through each step of the process, and make your experience as smooth as possible.
WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP OF THE HOME BUYING PROCESS?
Answer: Mortgage Pre-Approval
Unless you are paying cash for a house, you will need to get a mortgage. In order to know how much home you can afford, you will need to get pre-approved for a loan. This is the first-step in the home buying process.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUY A HOME?
Answer: Usually 30 to 60 days
The timeline for finding the right home varies greatly from person to person. Once you find a home and have an accepted offer, it usually takes 30-45 days to close.
WHAT DOES A REALTOR® DO?
Answer: Almost Everything
Your Realtor is your most valuable asset when buying a home. They will walk you through every part of the home buying process. They will educate and inform you about your options. They will represent you throughout the transaction and beyond. To fully understand what that means, you can read our article entitled “What does it Really Mean to be 'Represented' by a REALTOR®?”
As A homebuyer, HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY my REALTOR?
Answer: Nothing
In most cases, you do not have to pay your Realtor anything to help you purchase a home. The sellers pays their broker a fee, and then that listing broker pays the buyer's broker for bringing the buyer and facilitating the transaction.
WHAT is YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS?
Answer: Trust the Professionals
Beware of advice from people who do not work in the industry. Real estate is a popular subject and almost everyone feels like they have great insight to offer. In reality, the people who know best are the people that work in the business daily. Good agents have sold many homes and properties. We know what to expect and what to look out for. Friends and relatives have only bought and sold a few homes, if any at all. Buying and selling a couple of homes does not make someone a well-rounded source of information. I’ve seen too many first-time buyers become persuaded by well meaning friends and family, only to be disappointed later. Be confident in your decisions and trust the professionals.
WHAT KIND OF CREDIT SCORE DO I NEED TO BUY A HOME?
Answer: Usually 620+
A 620 credit score, or higher, is recommended. As you are probably aware, a higher credit score offers better lending terms. This is an ever evolving matter, as mortgage requirements are constantly changing. There are lenders who will approve buyers with a 580 score, sometimes even lower. Your local loan officer will be your best source to provide current lending requirements.
ARE THERE SPECIAL HOME BUYING PROGRAMS THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
Answer: Yes
There are some great home buying programs to research. The main ones would be VA loans and FHA loans. Knowing the difference between loan types is very important. Another local option would be the SETH Mortgage Program. It provides down payment assistance under certain conditions.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED FOR A DOWNPAYMENT?
Answer: It depends on your loan type. Usually 3.5% to 5% down.
The most common answer is 3.5% to 5% of the purchase price. There are also some conventional loans that only require 3% down. Veterans are usually eligible for a VA loan, which requires no money down. Properties in rural areas are usually eligible for a USDA loan, which also requires no money down.
WHAT OTHER FEES ARE THERE BESIDES THE DOWNPAYMENT?
Answer: Mainly lender fees and closing costs.
The downpayment is usually the largest cost associated with buying a house. Lending fees are the second largest costs to homebuyers. Most lenders will charge between 1% to 2% of the loan amount for loan origination fees, depending on the loan type. Conventional loans usually have lower loan origination fees, but require more money down. Your loan officer will be able to help you determine how much you can expect to pay towards loan origination and closing costs.
For a detailed list of all potential home buying fees, see our article entitled “How To Avoid Sticker Shock at the Closing Table?”
WHEN DO I GET THE KEYS?
Answer: After Closing & Funding
Under normal circumstances, you will get the keys within a couple hours of closing. A closing typically takes about 45-60 minutes. In most cases, the lender will need time to fund the loan and you will need to pick up the keys after the loan has been funded. If you have a Friday evening closing and the loan cannot fund until Monday, you may not get the keys until Monday. Make sure to coordinate your closing to get the keys on the same day, if that is what you need.
Do you have a real estate question that you would like answered? Feel free to contact me directly, or leave a comment below for others to answer as well. Remember, a good REALTOR® is your best source of information when buying a home. Once you have a REALTOR® that you trust, start asking as many questions as possible. They will gladly inform and educate you through each step of the home buying process.