What to Do After You’ve Found a Home You Love

Seattle is one of the most desired cities in America. Located in the stunning Pacific Northwest under the Cascade Mountains, Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City for its incredible proximity to Washinton State’s most beautiful national parks. It’s easy to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the mountains in this modern city.

Seattle is also located along the Pacific Ocean, with beautiful inlets, beaches, and grottos waiting to be explored. There’s reliable public transportation, luxurious homes with waterfront views, a booming technology industry, and plenty of top-notch restaurants and shops.

One of the best neighborhoods in Seattle is Magnolia. Magnolia is located on a peninsula surrounded by Puget Sound. This stunning neighborhood is similar to an island, with plenty of waterfront homes and a laid-back, relaxing lifestyle. There are many options for those seeking Magnolia luxury homes for sale, whether you’re looking for privacy, oceanfront views, or a cozy home filled with opulence.

With so many amenities, it’s easy to understand why Seattle and its neighborhoods are among the top places to live in the United States. If you’re considering moving to Seattle, you might have already found the perfect online listing. But what do you do next to secure your dream home? Our guide will walk you through the steps to close your sale after you’ve started searching for Magnolia homes for sale.

Once you’ve found a home you love, the most important step is to connect with a great Realtor. A great real estate agent will take the time to listen to your goals and must-haves in a home. They can help you put down a competitive offer to increase your chances of securing the home you found or help you look for other listings. They will negotiate on your behalf and use their industry connections to ensure you get the best deal possible when carrying out a real estate transaction.

 

There’s no better Realtor in the Seattle area than Corey Hays & Dawn Bourdo with the MrMagnolia team. Corey & Dawn are highly experienced in selling and purchasing properties in the Magnolia and Seattle areas and are ready to help you find the perfect home for you and your family.

Once you’ve connected with your Realtor, it’s time to set up a showing. Your Realtor can schedule a showing at a time that works for you. Seeing the home in person is essential, as it will give you a first-hand glimpse into the home’s features. Images in the listing are great, but you really need to see the home in person to get a sense of the flow of the space. This will also allow you to examine areas that didn’t make it into the listing photos, such as storage space and the surrounding neighborhood’s amenities.

You’ll want to come to your showing with a notebook or smartphone, so you can take notes as you walk through the home. This way, you can record the home's dimensions and note any unique features, exciting amenities, or other features you love.

When viewing the home, you’ll want to ask your agent as many questions as possible to learn more about the property. Inquire about any recent updates that were made, as well as when appliances and major installations, such as heating and cooling systems, were last serviced.

You should examine both the interior and exterior of the home. Note if the property has any amenities on your must-have list, such as an updated kitchen, an open floor plan, extra storage, and outdoor living spaces.

Once you’ve found a home you love, you’ll want to ensure you have the funds to purchase it. You should already have been pre-approved for a loan through your mortgage lender. By getting pre-approved, you’ll know how much home you can buy. However, you need to account for closing costs, a down payment, and other fees associated with a home purchase. Be sure to talk with your lender and agent to ensure you’re making a solid financial decision before putting in an offer.

Once you’ve found a home that meets your criteria, attended a viewing, and double-checked your budget, it’s time to create a strong offer. Your real estate agent will help you create a fair but competitive offer to ensure that you stand out amongst other buyers.

Once your offer has been accepted, you must apply for your loan and be approved, even if you’ve gotten pre-approved. Your lender will work with you to set up a home appraisal, ensuring you get your home for a fair price.

You’ll want to get a home inspection prior to closing your deal. Your Realtor will be able to connect you with a trusted inspector. A home inspection is extremely important, as it will ensure your home is up to code and reveal any potential problems that might not be visible to the naked eye, such as plumbing, electrical, or foundation issues. It’s recommended to always get a home inspection prior to buying a home. Any major problems that might arise might be costly and dramatically change the home's value.

Once your home inspection is finished, you’re ready to close the deal on your new home. During closing, you’ll sign the necessary documents and transfer any closing costs associated with the purchase to the proper parties. After that, you will receive the keys to your home and begin the process of moving in.

Those who are ready to purchase a home in the greater Seattle area want to work with the best Magnolia real estate brokers, such as industry experts Corey Hays & Dawn Bourdo. With over 60 years of combined real estate experience, Corey & Dawn are more than equipped to help you find the home of your dreams. Contact them today to get started.