Contemplating buying a new home in Grand Prairie? Target Cost Realty, LLC can help.

For a lot of people, buying a home can be a stressful event. But with some up-front planning, it's not that complex. So they understand exactly what they can expect, I will furnish buyers with a road map of the entire deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
Before you begin searching for a home, there are several things you'll want to consider. When you start your search, you'll want to form an outline of features you need to have, get a feeling for what school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good rule of thumb to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or close to 1/3 of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. We can book 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 Grand Prairie area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Grand Prairie, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking for a home
Following our first meeting, I'll begin finding available houses on the market that are great for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll call attention to good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. Generally, buyers change their must-have list as we tour homes and some things become more substantial than others. If such is the case, I'll look through all the listings another time and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
My understanding of the Grand Prairie home market is an essential component in your home search. I'm acquainted with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll communicate which areas are "hot" and demand immediate action and others that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.

When we view homes, I'll be sure to tell you when the list price has room for negotiation and also when I believe the home is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as every REALTOR in Grand Prairie will claim to truly understand the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at (972) 504-8021 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I'm sure we'll find the home of your dreams in the Grand Prairie area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly 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 clean title.

Upon presenting your offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the seller to secure an offer to buy the property, and it's typically put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of deals aren't closed on the initial offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll put together a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
Upon completion of the deal, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it won't be a long process at all. But you need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll sort out all the property information your 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. The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a narrow range of accuracy, and I'll go over the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and pleasant occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, just call me at (972) 504-8021 or e-mail me at .