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Hey there, future homeowners (and the ever-curious ones in the back)! 🏠 Embarking on the mortgage journey can feel like decoding a secret language, right?
Don't sweat it! This guide is here to lay it all out for you—from the first step of getting pre-qualified, all the way to popping the champagne when you finalize your home purchase. We’re going to dive deep, breaking down the nitty-gritty, and translating all that financial jargon into plain, friendly talk.
Whether you're gearing up to plant roots in your first home, thinking of scaling up, or just here for a good old educational stroll, consider this your ultimate roadmap. Buckle up, grab your favorite brew, and let’s break down the mortgage process step by step.
Get Pre-Qualified
Your first step should always be getting pre-qualified. Just in case you missed that last sentence, I will say it again. Your first step should always be getting pre-qualified. It's that important. Your pre-qualification letter is your golden ticket into the world of house hunting, and getting this step done first paves the way for a smooth and easy process. This will allow you to understand exactly where your budget lies, and shows all parties involved that you are a serious buyer who is capable of closing on the transaction. When working with a mortgage lender like The Wealth Captain, you will be presented with multiple mortgage options and strategies at this stage. Understanding all of the different options that are available to you will make you an educated buyer who is capable of making the best possible decisions. Having a deep understanding of these options can also make the difference between ending up with the perfect home, vs settling for something less because you were unaware of your options.
Begin The Fun Part
House hunting is, without a doubt, the most exciting part of the process. Touring homes, imagining your lives there, and critiquing every little detail - what's not to be excited about? By this part of the process, it is important that you are working with an experienced and local Real Estate Agent. They will line up houses for you to tour based on your budget and criteria (which we already have a firm grip on because you are now an educated buyer after getting pre-qualified first). When deciding what checkboxes matter most to you, I always recommend that you consider far more than just how many bedrooms and bathrooms a home has. Consider the neighborhood, the school district, the local amenities, and shopping centers. Even if you don't have kids, and aren't planning on having kids any time soon, things like school districts should still be considered. A desirable school district generally means a desirable neighborhood, which can turn into higher resale value in the future.
Make The Offer
Once you have found the home that checks your boxes and meets your budget, it's now time for the negotiations. When you are working with The Wealth Captain and one of my trusted partner agents, we will work together to help you structure an offer that best suits your needs while also giving you the highest chance of getting your offer accepted. Your agent will submit your offer along with your golden ticket (your pre-qualification letter that you so wisely obtained earlier). At this stage in the game, time is of the essence. Wasting time going through the pre-qual process now can mean the difference between getting your offer in and accepted quickly versus someone else beating you to the punch. Once your offer is submitted, the seller will generally either accept or counter. If they accept, then we move to the next step. If they counter, then your agent sharpens the pencil and begins the negotiations.
Begin The Underwriting Process
Your offer was just accepted, and the executed contract now gets sent to The Wealth Captain (your mortgage lender). Your contract will have a closing date on it; this date is generally anywhere from 21-45 days from when the contract is executed. Once it's executed, the clock starts ticking, and we begin the underwriting process. We start collecting any additional documents that are needed. These can include things such as updated bank statements, pay statements, photo ID, social security card, etc. But the good news is that this part will be very easy and smooth for you, because you completed most of this when you got pre-qualified first. This means we've already paved the way for a smooth underwriting process with very little risk of any unexpected surprises.
Get A Home Inspection
Your contract will generally include a 7-10 day option period. This is your timeframe to get the home inspected and ensure you are comfortable with any findings. If the home inspection report reveals issues that you find unacceptable, this is your opportunity to re-open negotiations and ask the seller to make repairs or provide seller credits to the deal, allowing you to make the repairs yourself. Choosing a reputable home inspector is crucial, and our trusted partner agents can recommend the best ones for you to use.
Time For The Appraisal
This process involves a third-party appraiser evaluating the home to determine its market value. This step is essential for securing a mortgage. The investors backing the mortgage want to ensure that the value of the property they are financing aligns with the purchase amount. If the appraised value is higher than your buying price, then congratulations - you've gained equity from the start. However, if the appraised value is lower than the purchase price, the investors will require adjustments. You'll either have to reduce the purchase price to match the appraised value or pay the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price out of pocket. In such situations, negotiations typically resume. For instance, if the appraised value is $5,000 below the agreed purchase price, you might negotiate for the buyer to pay an extra $2,500 out of pocket, and the seller reduces the purchase price by $2,500, meeting the appraised value in the middle.
Obtain Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance, or HOI, is always required by lenders when securing a mortgage. They want to ensure that the house they're financing is adequately protected. The choice of insurance company is yours, but I can always provide the option of working with our trusted insurance partners to help streamline the process if you prefer.
Complete The Underwriting Process
Up to this point, the underwriting process has been a complete breeze (because you tackled most of the heavy lifting during step 1 when you first got pre-qualified). The next step is for us to send the completed appraisal report and the HOI policy to the underwriters for their final review. Once they've reviewed these final pieces of the puzzle, they'll issue a CTC, which means "Cleared To Close."
The Closing Table
Once we receive the CTC, our closing team will collaborate closely with the title company to ensure all figures are balanced and ready to proceed. You'll then schedule your closing appointment with the title company. At this meeting, you'll sign a stack of paperwork and cover the necessary down payment and closing costs. After all involved parties have signed their documents, the transaction will be officially closed. However, that's not the final step. Subsequent to this, the paperwork undergoes one last review for accuracy. If everything checks out and there are no missed signatures, the title company receives authorization to release funds, officially completing the transaction. It's crucial to note that the process isn't truly over, and you won't receive the keys to your new home, until funding is finalized.
What Happens Next?
Well, next, you get to move into your new home! However, you now also have a mortgage to manage. When you work with The Wealth Captain, I'll be by your side throughout the life of the loan to assist you in managing it correctly. We will establish semi-annual mortgage reviews to ensure that you are maximizing the benefits of your mortgage. We'll monitor the market and interest rates closely on your behalf and notify you if refinancing becomes a viable option to enhance your financial position. Moreover, I'll always be on hand to address any questions that arise during your homeownership journey. Think of me as your personal mortgage concierge.
Who You Work With Matters!
Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or refinance your home, everyone's situation is unique, and having the right support can make all the difference. That's why I emphasize a personalized experience tailored to you and your specific needs. I also prioritize working with the best and most experienced local realtors. If you have any questions, want a personalized interest rate quote, or wish to connect with one of my trusted realtor partners, don't hesitate to contact me today!
MILAN KANGRGA
The Wealth Captain
Mortgage Advisor | NMLS#2428833
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