Are you contemplating purchasing your new home in Austin? John Horton Realty can help.

For many people, purchasing a home can be a stressful event. But with some planning ahead of time, it isn't all that complex. So they'll know exactly what to expect, I like to provide buyers with an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have any questions about this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
Before you begin your home search, there are plenty of things you'll want to do. You'll probably want to make an index of must-haves, get a feel for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than a third of your net monthly income is a good guideline to adhere to.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. We can arrange a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss neighborhoods, school districts in the Austin area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Austin, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They will help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking
Following our initial meeting, I'll start looking for available homes on the market that best suit you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and ignore the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes when it's convenient for you.

As we view houses, I'll call attention to good features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to update their must-have list as we view houses and some features become far more essential than others. If that happens, I'll search all the listings once more and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
An agent's knowledge of the Austin market is a crucial component in your home search. And I can assure you I'm conscious of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I'll let you know some areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for careful examination.

When we view houses, I'll let you know if the list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent will tell you they understand the home market, but be on guard, and be sure to ask your agent a lot of questions. If things don't add up, just call me at 512-834-1600 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I'm certain we'll find your dream home in Austin. When that happens, I'll precisely develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When we turn in your offer, you'll likely want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts aren't closed on the first offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
After the contract is complete, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-qualified, it shouldn't be a long process at all. But you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will send you a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs within three days of receiving your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your loan application. This estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll go over the estimate and let you know if everything looks okay.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most often occur at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and stress-free occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply call me at 512-834-1600 or e-mail me at .