Buying a house is certainly one of the biggest transactions you’ll make in life. Even so, your homes for sale in Haslet doesn’t have to be as complicated as you think. A few simple steps is all it’ll take to get you in your dream house.

Get the Numbers Right

Unless you have the cash to finance the entire purchase, you can do yourself a huge favor by kicking off the home-buying process with a credit check. Your credit scores will determine how much money you’ll be able to borrow, among other things. Obtaining your credit report early on gives you the chance to fix inaccuracies and do what else you can to improve your scores.

While you’re at it, crunch the numbers to see how much you can comfortably pay in upfront costs; down payment, inspection, appraisal, closing etc. Start saving up for these if you haven’t done so already. Factoring in other expenses you’ll incur as a homeowner (maintenance, taxes, insurance and mortgage repayment) will give you an idea of how much house you can afford.

Get Pre-qualified and Pre-approved

Most home sellers will only take you seriously if you can prove that you’re eligible for a home loan. This proof could be in the form of a pre-qualification; an estimate of how much you can borrow based on your financial background. Getting pre-qualified is as simple as approaching a few lenders and submitting whatever details they ask for.

If you really want to demonstrate your seriousness, go an extra mile and seek pre-approval. This basically guarantees that the lender will furnish you with the particular type of loan you qualify for. A pre-approval letter will give you more leverage when presenting offers. Just keep in mind that it’ll only be valid for 180 days at most.

Team up With a Realtor

While there’s nothing to stop you from going it alone, you will be much better-off with a real estate agent by your side. A realtor’s intimate knowledge of the local property market will prove extremely valuable when dealing with sellers. They’ll ask the right questions and know what red flags to look out for. And the best part? You won’t have to part with anything for their services.

Go House Hunting

Now that you’ve got your finances in order and recruited an agent, it’s time for the fun part. Browse through online listings as well as newspapers and magazines, making sure to note down homes for sale in Haslet that you’re interested in. Take time to compare the offers with your agent and see which house will best fit your needs.

Make an Offer and Close

Once you find your dream home, the rest of the process should be fairly-straightforward. Your agent will negotiate a fair price, then arrange for the pre-sale inspection/appraisal. They’ll then draft a purchase contract, prepare closing documents, and help you complete the paperwork.