BUYER'S GUIDE: 7 Steps to Acquiring Real Estate

1. Meet with an Atlas Real Estate professional.

The most important first step is selecting your real estate professional. Atlas Real Estate brokers have undergone comprehensive training systems in real estate investment and purchasing strategies to help you find the best deal possible. Once you have selected your Atlas Real Estate professional you should begin to think about location, price, terms and conditions involved in procuring your new home.

2. Understand your price point

Now that you have thought about your location, price, terms and conditions you need to narrow down your search. To make sure you are being as effective as possible with your time you should acquire a pre-approval from a lender. This gives you price parameters to begin to locate your dream home.

3. Locate your dream home (LOCATION)

It is important to identify what you want in a home, where you want to live, which neighborhoods, schools and amenities that are close by. At this point you should sit down with your Atlas Real Estate professional and specify location, price and your goals for your new home. Now you should visit properties, qualify the features that you are looking for and select the home that meets your needs.

4. Make an offer (PRICE)

Finding your home may prove to be the easiest part as you and your Atlas professional begin to negotiate the price and terms of your home. Since you have hired an Atlas Real Estate professional, you can rest assured that you are represented by the best. Having brokered hundreds of successful transactions in your market, our brokers understand the unique market conditions on both a macro and micro level.

5. Find your mortgage (TERMS)

Although you have been pre-qualified, it is important to consult with an Atlas Real Estate professional and your mortgage broker to find a mortgage that fits your needs. Despite the liquidity crisis in our nation's financial markets, there are still plenty of loans available to responsible borrowers.

6. Inspect the home (CONDITIONS)

At this point, we highly recommend that you employ a certified home inspector. This will give you an opportunity to make sure that your home is in good condition, and may save you thousands by alerting you to problems ranging from sewer line breaks to hidden mold issues. This may also give you leverage to request repairs or receive monetary concessions.

7. Close and Move-In

Closing is the act of legally transferring ownership from the seller to you, the buyer. Your Atlas Real Estate professional will review that accuracy of your settlement statements and keep you informed throughout the process.