Buyers
First Time Jacksonville NC Home Buyer Steps
I will be able to show you ANY homes, new or resale, no matter who the listing broker is. If you see a home advertised in the newspaper, or if you drive by a home that is of interest to you, please call me! If you visit an Open House or a New Home Community, please tell the seller's agent in the home that I am representing you. Remember, home information is always available to me, even if my company isn't the one listing it.
First Step: Get Preapproved with a mortgage lender. This is VERY important because you want to make sure you can afford the house you eventually will want to make an offer on. This will prevent you from becoming disappointed later. I have a few VA, FHA, etc., mortgage lenders I recommend with LOW fees, rates, and NO application fee. My lenders can beat anyone around. They love the challenge and making their clients happy as much as I do!
If you are wanting to purchase your home using your VA benefits, you will not need a downpayment, and you will probably pay very little in closing costs. However, there are other fees to expect upfront:
- Appraisal Fee - collected about 1 - 2 weeks after an offer is accepted. $450
- Earnest Money Deposit Or Due Diligence Money - general rule of thumb is if the contract price is under $200,000, estimate $500.00. If the contract price is between $200,000 - $300,000, estimate $1,000.00. These are "deposits," meaning there are certain guidelines to receive them back at closing.
- Home Owners Insurance - depending on which company you choose, you may have to pay your wind and hail policy prior to closing.
- Home Inspection - depending on size of home, estimate between $180 - $250.
Once we find you your dream home, an offer needs to be made either verbally (just to start out) or in writing and presented to the seller's agent. From there, the seller's have 3 options:
- Accept the offer
- Reject the offer
- Make a counter offer