Your Path to Homeownership
Follow our proven 12-step journey to buying a home in Charlotte with confidence
1
Schedule a Consultation
Our consultation isn’t about us and how awesome we are. It’s a time to discuss your needs, discover what is important to you, answer questions and create a game plan for your purchase. This time together will help in making the rest of the transaction go much smoother and will save time.
2
Get Pre-Qualified
Imagine shopping on Black Friday and forgetting your wallet. By the time you get back, all the great deals are gone. That’s what it’s like shopping for a home without a pre-approval letter from your lender or proof of funds. If you don’t have a lender that you work with, we can provide the names of several that we have worked successfully with in the past.
3
Complete Buyer Intake Form
Just like going to the doctor’s office, our intake form will provide us the details we need to get you started and not miss any details. It will only take a few minutes to complete and will help our staff determine the best way to assist you. This can also be done with a simple conversation on the phone, no worries!
4
Begin Your Home Search
Based on your needs, we will establish a property search from our CantvilleRealEstate.com site. This pulls the latest home info directly from the MLS, updates faster than Zillow and Realtor.com and sends it to you as soon as they are published so you’re sure never to miss a property! We will assist you with showing homes, both resale and new construction.
5
Submit an Offer
Once you have found your dream home, we will assist you in preparing the offer details. This involves carefully reviewing comparable sales in the area, discussing your budget and strategy, and deciding on key terms such as the purchase price, earnest money deposit, contingencies (like inspection, appraisal, or financing), proposed closing date, and any seller concessions you may request. We will then work together to complete the formal purchase agreement or offer letter, ensuring it accurately reflects your intentions while protecting your interests.
6
Negotiate Contract form
Offer negotiation is the most important, and exciting, parts of the process and we take pride in ability to negotiate a real estate transaction. Many items can be negotiated, such as purchase price, closing costs, repair requests, closing date, and much, much more. Effective negotiation can lead to favorable terms, price adjustments, and a smoother transaction process, ensuring that the investment aligns with the goals and expectations of all involved.
7
Home Inspection
The “due diligence” period is your time to find out as much about the property’s condition as possible. The home and termite inspection, along with many others can be performed at this time. HVAC, roof, well and septic inspections are common, in addition to radon tests or structural engineering tests. Not to worry, we will assist you during this entire process.
8
Request Repairs or Credits
Once you have completed needed inspections, there may be some repairs you’d like the seller to complete prior to closing. This is the time to make repair requests and renegotiate if necessary. Results can range from seller refusal to assist in repairs, a reduction in sales price, or concessions to the buyer at closing to cover repair costs.
9
Get Loan Approved
If using a lender, now is the time to firm everything up. Complete and submit all requested information. Working with a responsive lender is important and reduces stress and frustration.
10
Preparing for Closing
Once the purchase contract is signed by both parties, a copy will be sent to a closing attorney. The closing attorney will order a title search and prepare all the closing docs, many of them will come from your lender. These will be prepared and ready for you at the closing table.
We’re getting close!
11
Close on Your Home
A very exciting day for a buyer! This is the day where we meet at the closing attorney’s office to sign closing docs. These consist of deed transfer docs, loan docs and a host of other disclosures. Don’t worry! You’ll be so excited you’ll hardly notice the writers cramp from signing your name!
12
Move in!
Once the deed records with the county office (normally a few hours after signing your documents) you will be handed the keys to your home and it’s time to celebrate!