How-to: Start the Home Buying Process

Planning to buy a house in St Pete, Tampa, or Clearwater within the next year or two? You can prepare for the home buying process now!

Here are 4 things to check off your to-do before stalking homes on Zillow for hours.

1. Meet with a real estate agent
   Meet with an agent and ask them to explain the home buying process to you, step by step. You can read articles on this all day, but having a professional who does this everyday walk you through what it looks like is extremely beneficial. Plus — as you progress through your home buying prep, having an expert on speed dial doesn’t hurt!

   (P.S. Ask me – I’d love to chat and go over the process.)

2. Talk to a lender
   After talking with an agent, you’ll want to speak with a lender as well. Your agent will be able to refer you to someone, or you can find someone on your own. The lender will help you understand your qualifications and what you can afford now. They will help you to get your finances in order and get you on track to be able to afford your dream home when you are ready. This is something you want to do no more than 6 months away from your desired closing date.

3. Build up your credit and savings
   Your lender will tell you this, but it’s important to start building up your credit and savings so you can get the best deal on a loan possible. The higher the credit score and the more money you can put down, the better.

4. Gather important documents
   Have these documents accessible in order to turn them in within a few days of going under contract if your lender does not request prior to your pre-approval.

   • W2s from past two years

   • Bank statement going back 12 months

   • Bank statements from past 3 months

   • Profit-loss statements YTD (if self-employed)

   • Eligibility certificate (if veteran or active-duty)

   • Tax transcripts

   • Copy of drivers license