Buying a Home in Connecticut
If you are a buyer in search of the perfect home in CT, we can help. The first place to start is to find a Realtor to help you find that perfect home or condo and walk you through the process. When searching for a Realtor, you want one that is customer service oriented, someone who is knowledgeable of the home buying process, an agent who will go the extra mile to match you with the right home or condo. Our agents are trained to think outside of the box, to use all means available to search for properties. We don't just look at the Multiple Listings Service (MLS), we approach For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) for you, we check listings that are off the market and call them if we think its the perfect home for you. By choosing Harriman Real Estate LLC, you will receive top notch service, we promise you that!
For those of you that do not know the real estate process for purchasing a home in Connecticut, below are the standard steps to a successful transaction. Please note that the process is slightly different for the Fairfield County area - please contact us if you want further details of the process for Fairfield County.
1) Hire a Realtor - locate a Real Estate Agent to help you find a home and guide you through the process. Choose wisely!
2) Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage - You will contact a lender to go through the process of getting pre-approved for a loan. There are many lenders out there, so it is suggested that you get recommendations from others as opposed to going blindly. Again, choose wisely - service, rates and mortgage programs vary between companies/lenders. Once you have gotten pre-approved, you will know how much home you can afford, what your payments will be and the approximate amount for closing costs. If you need a list of local lenders, please contact us. If you are paying cash for your purchase, you will need proof of funds at the time you make an offer on a property.
3) View Homes - Your Realtor email you listings matching your criteria for the ideal home (location, price range, type of home, etc). Once you make your selections, your agent will schedule appointments to view the homes.
4) Write Offer - Your Realtor will assist you writing an offer, discussing value and negotiating the purchase on your behalf.
5) Home Inspection - Once you are under contract for a home, you will want to schedule a home inspection so that you have knowledge of the condition of the home. Your agent will assist you in writing up any concerns following the home inspection and negotiate them with the other agent.
6) Attorney - You will need to hire an attorney for your purchase. Your attorney will review the contract and other documents. The attorney will also run a title search on the property to determine if there are any liens, easements, etc. Your attorney will also assist you with any legal questions throughout the process regarding your purchase.
7) Mortgage Approval - Your lender will ask you for documentation to verify information you provided during the pre-approval process. The lender will also order an appraisal on the property to verify value. Once all of the documents are received and appraisal is complete, your file will be submitted to the underwriting department for final approval. You will then be issued a clear to close.
8) Walk-through & Closing - Once you have a clear to close, your attorney will schedule a closing with the seller's attorney. Your agent will schedule a walk-through of the property just prior to closing to make sure the property is in the same condition it was when you first made your offer. From the walk-through, you will go to the closing and sign all bank documents. Once complete, you will receive the keys and the home is officially yours!
If you would like to learn more about the buying process, please contact us. We are available seven days a week to assist you.
Harriman Real Estate LLC -- 203-672-4499
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