Looking to Buy Real Estate?

Working with a real estate agent means you have a personal guide through the buying process. They will be with you throughout the entire process and will always be advocating for your best interests. 

The first step in the home buying process is to find out how much home you can afford. Getting pre-approved and/or pre-qualified for a loan will help you in two ways: 1. You will know before you begin searching what you can afford and use that to limit your search results. 2. It will set you apart from other buyers when submitting offers. 

Now that you have your price range in mind, your agent will work with you to find homes. You may receive an email subscription that will update you when homes meeting your qualifications become available, or they may send you a few listings they think are right for you. Once you decide on some homes to view, they will schedule a showing. 

Once you choose your future home, your agent submits an offer. Negotiations start with this offer and end when both parties agree to the contract terms. Accepted offers are binding upon signing; rejected offers require no further consideration. If countered, the buyer can accept, reject, or propose new terms. This cycle continues until an offer is accepted or rejected. Accepted counteroffers become binding upon signing. 

 Earnest money must be deposited by the agreed-upon date, usually held by the agent’s broker or closing attorney as per the contract. During the Due Diligence Period, the buyer covers the cost of a home inspection. Any concerns trigger an amendment for necessary fixes or price adjustment. If both parties agree, the sale proceeds; if not, the contract can be terminated without legal repercussions, with the return of the earnest money to the buyer. 

As soon as you enter into the legally binding contract, your lender will be working with you to secure financing. It is important that you work closely with your lender and submit their requested paperwork in a timely manner to ensure that there are no delays to closing.  

In Georgia, closings require a real estate attorney specified in the contract. The attorney handles all closing documents and conducts a title search, taking around 30-45 days to ensure no prior claims or liens exist. Lenders and owner’s title insurance, paid at closing, guarantee the buyer's ownership rights to the property. 

After receiving clearance to close from your lender, schedule a final walkthrough to ensure agreed-upon tasks are completed and the property is ready for possession. Before closing, the attorney will send a closing disclosure statement detailing required funds. Your agent will review for accuracy. On closing day, the attorney will oversee document signing and provide explanations as needed.