Are you contemplating purchasing a new home in Austin?

Buying a home can be stressful for many people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't very hard. I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal so they know exactly what to expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. Should you have any questions about this information or if you're prepared to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
Prior to starting your home search, there are several things you'll want to take into account. You'll want to put together a checklist of must-haves, plan for what school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or close to a third of your monthly income is a good guideline to follow.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Austin
That's where I can help. I'd be more than happy to arrange a time to get together with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Austin area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that might affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Austin, and I partner with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you with deciding which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After our initial meeting, I'll start looking for homes on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll preview most of the houses and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes when it's convenient for you.

As we tour the houses, I'll show you the good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. Generally, buyers update their must-have list as we tour houses and some things become far more important than others. If such is the case, I'll search the listings once more and narrow it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
Your agent's knowledge of the Austin home market is a necessary element in your house search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I will let you know what areas are "hot" and warrant prompt action and some that are "cold" and allow for more examination.

When we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's list price has room for negotiation and when I think the home is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent in Austin will convince you they understand the market, but be careful, and make sure you ask lots of questions. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, just call me at 512-834-1600 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I'm sure we'll find the house of your dreams in the Austin area. When that happens, I'll carefully develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including some contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we send in your purchase offer, you'll likely want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property and is typically applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the beginning offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions will play a part in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll compose a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
After we sign the final deal, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. It shouldn't be a long process at all if you're already pre-approved, but you need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a narrow range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then we'll close on your house. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and pleasant event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, just contact me at 512-834-1600 or e-mail me at .