How Long Does It Really Take to Buy a House?
You’ve scrimped and saved, deliberated and discussed,
researched and read, and finally decide to buy a home. Congrats! Even being
ready and able to buy a home is a big achievement. But even with all the time
and effort you put into this monumental decision, you might still have some
lingering questions, especially if this is your first foray into the realm of
real estate. LiveInAlabama.com is your local source for a local real estate
agent that can answer most of them, but one that’s on everyone’s mind when they
first start the homebuying process, but they’re sometimes too shy to ask: how
long does it even take to buy a house?
While this is a valid and important question to examine,
it’s also, unfortunately, one with no clear-cut answer. According to homes.com, homebuyers spend an average of “30-60 days
shopping and 14-60 days from contract to close,” then have another 14-45 days
before their first mortgage payment is due. That comes to a total of 61 days on
the low end and a whopping 165 days, or about five and a half months, on the
upper end...quite a spectrum!
So, why does buying a home take some people almost three
times as long as it does others? That depends on various fluctuating factors,
like the wants, needs, and motivation of both the buyer and seller, the overall
housing market, and the involvement of banks and other financial institutions.
Like the housing market and the seller’s wants and wishes, some of these are
beyond the buyer’s control. However, some steps can be taken to speed up the
process and get you into your dream home sooner rather than later.
The first way to expedite the home buying process is to do
your homework! Start looking online and going to open houses in the area where
you’d like to buy to get a sense of price point and demand. Plus, open houses
are perfect for making an IRL connection with the thousands of agents in the LiveInAlabama.com Agent Directory. Another great way to get hustlin’ to your new home
is to come to a consensus on your family’s lists of wants and needs, including
a (rough) timeline. For example, how many bedrooms? Which school district? Is a
garage necessary? And do you need to be settled before school or a new job
starts? Figuring out these details will help your real estate agent help you by
showing you only homes that meet your exact criteria, which speeds up the
homebuying process.
The most important homework assignment, though, involves a
little more effort...not to mention a lot more paperwork. Getting pre-approved
for a mortgage is the most significant step you can take to hasten the home
buying process, as it gives you a solid budget to work within, as well as
highlighting to sellers that you’re a serious buyer. But don’t take that as a
cue to rush into anything. Instead, try visiting several banks or lending
institutions to give yourself a sense of what you qualify for, including
homebuyer programs. This is where the paperwork comes in—usually, they’ll want
to see documents like recent pay stubs, tax returns, and a few months of bank
statements.
Home is where the heart is, so get there ASAP with a
little help from LiveInAlabama.com. Greater Alabama Multiple
Listing Service. With
thousands of agents, you’re sure to find your family’s perfect fit!
