Are you wondering, “how do I buy a house in New Orleans?” Well, you’ve stopped at the right place. Team Be New Orleans can guide you through the one-way streets and potholes of home buying.
Traditionally you would start your home-buying journey like this:
- Pick a Realtor
- Talk to a local lender
- Figure out your wants and needs
- See some houses!
In the world we live in now, this list stays true, but you’ve likely already been shopping for homes online and have Googled a lot of your questions. Maybe you’ve even gone to a few open houses! Honestly, this is great. We find that when most people take the time to figure out what they want and need in a place ahead of time, it helps eliminate homes that aren’t the right fit.
However, some of these random Google searches about home buying will land you on pages that don’t address New Orleans homebuyers’ needs. That’s where we step in!
New Orleans Home Buying Step #1: Find an Amazing Realtor
Since you’re already here, we might be the right fit for you. But, if we aren’t the right fit, that’s ok too. Finding a New Orleans real estate agent who understands what you’re looking for is crucial.
What are your long-term plans? What neighborhood fits your lifestyle? Do you work from home and need a quiet street? Do you love cooking or need a huge yard for your dogs? These questions and more are things we want to know about you as we begin your home search.
New Orleans Home Buying Step #2: Financing
How are you going to pay for this home? Like most homebuyers, you will probably get a mortgage. How do you know who to work with with a million loan officers out there?
Local is almost always better. Finding a terrific local lender will make your home-buying experience better.
As your real estate agent, we can refer you to a great mortgage lender who will look out for your best interests. Whether you need down payment assistance, closing cost help, or the best interest rate, we want to ensure you’re happy with the financing of your home.
New Orleans Home Buying Step #3: Find a House
According to the national average, most people see about five houses before picking “the one.”
We want to let you know that some people only see one house, and others see 40 homes. There are no right or wrong amount of places to visit.
So, don’t let your mom tell you that you must see ten more houses before choosing the right one. Consequently, many people have lost their dream homes because friends or family encouraged them to “keep looking.”
New Orleans Home Buying Step #4: Make an Offer
We will make an offer once we find the perfect home for you!
Essential reading: How to Make an Offer on a New Orleans Home
New Orleans Home Buying Step #5: Home Inspections
Getting home inspections is a critical step when buying a home. In New Orleans, we encourage our homebuyers to get general home inspections, video pipe inspections, and termite inspections.
Essential Reading: New Orleans Home Inspections
New Orleans Home Buying Step #6: Property Inspection Response
Your property inspection response is your chance to ask for repairs or money off of the house you’re buying. We also call these repair negotiations.
How do we decide what to ask for?
We will review the inspection reports and determine the essential items. Then, we may get quotes from licensed professionals to decide on the amount of money to ask for. The other option is to ask the seller to make any repairs for you.
This portion of the home-buying process tends to be the most stressful. During this time, you may also decide to cancel the contract and walk away. We have to do what’s best for you!
New Orleans Home Buying Step #7: The Appraisal
We will order the appraisal if you decide to purchase this home after repair negotiations.
Essential Reading: What is an appraisal?
New Orleans Home Buying Step #8: The Re-Inspection
If the seller has done repairs on the home, we must ALWAYS do a re-inspection. This is because many home sellers do not complete the repairs. Maybe they forgot. Maybe their contractor told them the work was done. It doesn’t matter the reason; it’s our job to ensure the repairs done are adequate.
Once you purchase the home, you cannot ask the seller to make any repairs, even if they agree to! You’re buying this house “as-is.”
Essential Reading: What does “As-Is” Mean?
New Orleans Home Buying Step #9: The Final Walk-Thru
The final walk-thru will sometimes coincide with the re-inspection of the property.
What do we check for in the final walk-thru?
- Are the appliances that they agreed to leave still there?
- Are there any new leaks that weren’t present before?
- Is the house in the same or better condition as we saw it previously?
- Is everything functioning correctly?
After the final walk-thru, you take the house in that exact condition.
New Orleans Home Buying Step #10: The Closing!
Your day has arrived, and you are now a homeowner!
Essential Read: Closing Time!
While many things can happen between all these home-buying steps, this list will guide you through the main components.
Are you ready to become a homeowner? Text or email us now!
Contact Team Be New Orleans