The process of both buying and selling a home can be a stressful endeavor. People often feel overwhelmed at what they perceive to be a laundry list of arduous tasks to complete. Without question, there are plenty of checklist boxes to cross off along the way. With that said, there are also mechanisms individuals can utilize to ease the process considerably. There are three house buying/selling aspects in particular which foster a stress-free environment: Finding a quality agent/broker, securing a positive mortgage rate, and enjoying a seamless closing process. All of these things are feasible — as well as integral for a positive experience.
There are ways to find a quality home agent/broker. The best way is through word of mouth. Everyone has friends and family members who’ve gone through this exact process. As a result, it makes sense to ask them about their own agent and/or broker. These people are looking out for the customer’s best interest. They will steer the customer in the right direction — and surely will offer positive recommendations and references. Secondly, online review platforms have developed quite intricately. There are multiple ways to research a potential agent via catalogs of reviews left by past customers. Normally, an overall star rating — or numerical averages between 0-5 are offered.
Additionally, there are a few ways to procure a great mortgage rate. Of course, possessing a solid credit score will aid in this process tremendously. A lower credit score may result in a higher deposit percentage when buying a property. Mortgage lenders also have the ability to analyze the potential client based upon their employment and income. Possessing a stable job and influx of money is a positive when wanting to get a mortgage rate. Cash reserves is another aspect of the mortgage process. Normally, lenders will want to make sure the customer has at least enough liquid cash to cover the expected mortgage payment for up to 60 days (or the first two months of the property payment).
When the house closing process is set to begin, the biggest aspect above anything — whether selling or buying the home — is organization. It’s imperative to make sure any and all paperwork is taken care of succinctly. Making a list of all transaction items isn’t the worst idea in the world. From there, all records should be checked thoroughly to make sure there aren’t any errors. All transfer taxes must be paid promptly, and a meeting between the seller and buyer must take place to tie up any possible loose ends. From here, the process should run its course quite smoothly.
There are many aspects going into owning and selling a home. By being thorough with the process, all parties involved should be able to enjoy a positive experience.
Be sure to check out our sponsored partners’ websites to learn more.
Image Source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images