Buying a Home | A Step by Ste Guide
Determine Your Budget
Determine Your Budget
Determine Your Budget
Before you start looking at houses, it's essential to know how much you can afford to spend. Take a close look at your finances and determine your budget for a home. Remember to consider not only the purchase price but also other costs such as property taxes, closing costs, and maintenance expenses.
Get Pre-Approved
Determine Your Budget
Determine Your Budget
Once you have a budget in mind, it's time to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you a better idea of how much you can afford to spend on a house and will also show sellers that you're a serious buyer. Contact a lender and provide them with your financial information, including your income, debts, and assets.
Start Home Shopping
Determine Your Budget
Start Home Shopping
With your budget and pre-approval in hand, you can start looking at houses that fit your needs and budget. You can work with a real estate agent to help you find houses that meet your criteria, or you can search online for properties that interest you.
Make An Offer
Get a Home Inspection
Start Home Shopping
Once you've found a house that you like, it's time to make an offer. Your real estate agent can help you draft a written offer that includes the purchase price, any contingencies, and the closing date. The seller can either accept your offer, reject it, or make a counteroffer.
Get An Appraisal
Get a Home Inspection
Get a Home Inspection
After your offer has been accepted, your lender will typically require a home appraisal to determine the value of the property. The appraisal is an unbiased assessment of the home's worth, based on factors such as its size, location, condition, and comparable properties in the area. The appraiser will provide a written report, which you c
After your offer has been accepted, your lender will typically require a home appraisal to determine the value of the property. The appraisal is an unbiased assessment of the home's worth, based on factors such as its size, location, condition, and comparable properties in the area. The appraiser will provide a written report, which you can use to negotiate with the seller or ensure that you're not overpaying for the home. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, you may need to renegotiate with the seller or come up with additional funds to cover the difference.
Get a Home Inspection
Get a Home Inspection
Get a Home Inspection
After your offer has been accepted, it's important to have a home inspection. A home inspection can uncover any potential problems with the house that you may not have noticed during your initial viewing. You can then use this information to negotiate with the seller or decide whether to proceed with the purchase.
Transfer All Utilities
File Homestead Exemption
Transfer All Utilities
Before you move into your new home, you'll need to transfer the utilities into your name. This includes electricity, gas, water, and any other necessary services such as internet or cable. Contact the utility companies in advance to schedule the transfer and ensure that you have uninterrupted service. You may also need to set up new accou
Before you move into your new home, you'll need to transfer the utilities into your name. This includes electricity, gas, water, and any other necessary services such as internet or cable. Contact the utility companies in advance to schedule the transfer and ensure that you have uninterrupted service. You may also need to set up new accounts with different providers if the previous owner had different service providers than you prefer. Additionally, don't forget to schedule mail forwarding with the post office to ensure that you receive all your mail at your new address.
Welcome Home
File Homestead Exemption
Transfer All Utilities
If everything looks good after the home inspection, it's time to close the sale. This involves signing a lot of paperwork and paying closing costs, including the down payment, title fees, and other expenses. Once the sale is closed, you'll receive the keys to your new home and can start moving in!
File Homestead Exemption
File Homestead Exemption
File Homestead Exemption
If you've recently purchased a home in Oklahoma, you may be eligible for the Oklahoma Homestead Exemption. This exemption can reduce your property taxes by providing a partial exemption of your home's assessed value. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on or before January 1st of the tax year. The deadli
If you've recently purchased a home in Oklahoma, you may be eligible for the Oklahoma Homestead Exemption. This exemption can reduce your property taxes by providing a partial exemption of your home's assessed value. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on or before January 1st of the tax year. The deadline for filing for homestead exemption is March 15th of the tax year in Oklahoma.
