Here are the North Carolina Triangle homebuying tips. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or if you’re looking to upgrade or downsize, the information below can help you decide.
The Triangle in North Carolina is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, ranking second to Austin, based on the 41st annual report from the Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Being surrounded by excellent educational institutions – Duke University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and several smaller colleges – as well as having the Research Triangle Park which provides more than 89,000 tech jobs to 10.9% of the employment base in the region, it is no surprise that this technology mecca has been attracting more homebuyers than ever before.
If you’re in the market to buy a new home in The Research Triangle, here are a few practical tips to help you find your perfect home in this thriving community.
To formally express your intent to buy a house in The Triangle, you will need to submit to the seller a purchase offer, also known as a purchase agreement or letter of intent to purchase.
This is a legal document that outlines the price that the buyer is willing to pay for the home, how they intend to pay for it, as well as other key terms of the transaction.
The purchase offer would become legally binding once the seller accepts your terms.
To increase your chances of getting the home of your dreams, it would help to know what the other competing offers are and your realtor can help you find this out by talking to the seller’s agent about recent showing activity.
While the seller’s agent may not divulge certain confidential details, they will be able to tell your broker whether there is serious interest in the property or not.
If you suspect that the seller has multiple offers in hand, it would be best for you to submit your offer right away and make it more appealing to them by stating a higher offer price.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is to have a licensed attorney review your offer to ensure that all the terms on this document are legally sound and that there is nothing that would pose a potential disadvantage to you.
Once your offer letter has been accepted by the seller and a new offer to purchase is signed by both parties, you will enter what is called the due diligence period.
During this time, you will need to request for home inspections, and these will be crucial in determining whether the house is indeed the right fit for you.
It is important for you to review the inspections report with your realtor to ensure that everything is in order and see if you will need to further negotiate with the seller for repairs and/or price reductions.
Aside from a home inspection, you will also be required by the bank to have a home appraisal if you are getting financing from a lender.
The appraisal will be ordered by the bank and paid for by the lender. While a home inspection is designed to protect you, the buyer, from maintenance costs, a home appraisal is meant to protect the bank by ensuring that the property is “as-described” and that the purchase price is in line with market values in the area.
The processes involved in purchasing a home in The Triangle, NC may seem complicated, but having an experienced and reliable realtor by your side will ensure that your home purchase transaction goes smoothly and that you get the best deal.
If you’re planning to buy a home in this amazing location, I can help! Just give me a call at 919-452-6484 or send me an email at nate@hgrnc.com so we can schedule an appointment.
Work with a Reputable Realtor in the Triangle Area
While you are not required to work with a local realtor, it is to your best advantage to have one by your side. Choose a broker whom you can trust, someone who has built an impeccable reputation in real estate. A good real estate agent will be able to guide you through the financial and legal complexities of the Triangle Area real estate process, as well as all the complicated paperwork. And while almost anything can be researched online, a local broker can provide you with invaluable insights into The Triangle’s neighborhoods and communities. Also, a good realtor will be able to help you find the right price range for your income and finances. They will also be able to explain to you all the pros and cons of the various types of mortgages.Obtain Pre-Approval for a Mortgage Loan
One of the advantages of working with a realtor is that they will be able to connect you with lenders. If you prefer to shop for lenders on your own, be sure to take some time to shop around, meet with a few lenders, and compare rates to make sure that you are getting the best possible rate. It is also a good idea to call local government agencies and inquire about programs that might be available to you. Obtaining pre-approval for your home loan is essential in getting a seller to take your offer seriously.Talk to Your Realtor Prior to Making an Offer to Purchase
You and your realtor will have to work together in determining a realistic price that you can afford and that the seller is likely to accept. Remember, you are not the only one in the market trying to buy their home. The Triangle is a hot real estate market and it is most probable that there are other homebuyers who would like to purchase the same property that you are interested in. So, in addition to a pre-approval letter, you and your real estate agent would need to work together in determining an offer that the seller would not automatically dismiss given the other competing offers that they have received.
To formally express your intent to buy a house in The Triangle, you will need to submit to the seller a purchase offer, also known as a purchase agreement or letter of intent to purchase.
This is a legal document that outlines the price that the buyer is willing to pay for the home, how they intend to pay for it, as well as other key terms of the transaction.
The purchase offer would become legally binding once the seller accepts your terms.
To increase your chances of getting the home of your dreams, it would help to know what the other competing offers are and your realtor can help you find this out by talking to the seller’s agent about recent showing activity.
While the seller’s agent may not divulge certain confidential details, they will be able to tell your broker whether there is serious interest in the property or not.
If you suspect that the seller has multiple offers in hand, it would be best for you to submit your offer right away and make it more appealing to them by stating a higher offer price.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is to have a licensed attorney review your offer to ensure that all the terms on this document are legally sound and that there is nothing that would pose a potential disadvantage to you.
Request for a Home Inspection and an Appraisal
Once your offer letter has been accepted by the seller and a new offer to purchase is signed by both parties, you will enter what is called the due diligence period.
During this time, you will need to request for home inspections, and these will be crucial in determining whether the house is indeed the right fit for you.
It is important for you to review the inspections report with your realtor to ensure that everything is in order and see if you will need to further negotiate with the seller for repairs and/or price reductions.
Aside from a home inspection, you will also be required by the bank to have a home appraisal if you are getting financing from a lender.
The appraisal will be ordered by the bank and paid for by the lender. While a home inspection is designed to protect you, the buyer, from maintenance costs, a home appraisal is meant to protect the bank by ensuring that the property is “as-described” and that the purchase price is in line with market values in the area.
Review Your Contract with an Attorney Before Closing
Before you sign any paperwork, it is important that you carefully read over your contract with your real estate lawyer to ensure that there are contingencies. Request the documents prior to closing day so you can review them thoroughly. If you see any errors, your real estate attorney should be able to help settle any issues. Come closing day, it’s time to sign all the paperwork, make payments for your closing costs, and get the keys to your new home!
The processes involved in purchasing a home in The Triangle, NC may seem complicated, but having an experienced and reliable realtor by your side will ensure that your home purchase transaction goes smoothly and that you get the best deal.
If you’re planning to buy a home in this amazing location, I can help! Just give me a call at 919-452-6484 or send me an email at nate@hgrnc.com so we can schedule an appointment.
