Are you ready to build the American Dream? Preparing to buy a home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Fortunately, Dream Idaho Realty can lead you in the right direction toward finding the home of your dreams.

First, you may want to make a list or brainstorm about the features and amenities that you find most appealing in a new home. Then, ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I looking for in a new home?

• Do I have enough money to purchase a new home?

• How does my credit look?

Are you getting ready to buy a home in the Treasure Valley? We can help!

It’s important as a buyer that you establish some kind of financing before you make any serious home offer.

The pre-approval process is when a lender looks at all of your finances and determines the amount of money you could afford for a mortgage. In order to get pre-approved for a loan, you need to contact a lender.

Here at Dream Idaho Realty, we can help you find a lender that you feel comfortable with, and that offers programs best suited to your needs

Your goals may evolve as you start looking at homes, but be sure to have a checklist of a few things that are important to you:

• Why are you buying? (Building equity, downsizing, etc.)

• Location to work, schools, shopping, activities, family, etc.

• Style of home: single level, two-story, townhome, etc.

• Size: how many bedrooms, backyard, etc.

• Home characteristics: office, gourmet kitchen, dual vanity, walk-in closet, 3-car garage, etc.

• And do you prefer a fixer-upper? Move-in ready? Are you open to building and new construction?

Beginning the search for your new home can be a great feeling.

It’s important that you directly communicate what your desires in a home are to your real estate agent. Beyond your personal goals, be aware of what you’re looking at as you see homes.

Ask yourself the following questions (and be sure to communicate your thoughts to your agent):

• Is there enough growing room, if necessary?

• Is the house structurally sound?

• Will your furniture fit?

• What needs to be repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace those items?

• Will the neighborhood or area of the home work for you?

Once you have found the perfect home, work with your agent to submit an offer to the sellers. All real estate offers must be in writing.

Idaho State Law requires you to sign an Agency Disclosure Brochure and Buyer Representation Form if you haven’t already done so. Your offer will be submitted via a Purchase and Sale Agreement which will protect you throughout the entire process of the sale.

The first step is determining the price and terms you want to offer for the home. At this time, earnest money is also required (typically 1% of the sale price). The earnest money will be placed in a trust account with a title company and then credited to you at closing.

Your offer will be contingent upon several factors, such as securing acceptable financing, a satisfactory home inspection should you choose to have one, clear title to the property and an appraisal (if you’re financing) that is at least equal to the purchase price.

There are three seller responses:

• Accepted as is

• Rejected

• Responding with a counter offer

You will have the same three options. Keep in mind price is only one of the many terms that may be negotiated. Closing date, repairs, change of possession date, or items included in the sale are typically contested by buyers and sellers.

The purchase of your home can be made contingent on your approval of the home’s condition. It is highly recommended that all buyers have a professional inspector (and/or contractors if so desired) look over the home and write a report that judges the home’s quality and condition.

Based on this report, you can ask the seller to make repairs. If the seller refuses, you may withdraw your offer and get your earnest money back.

The final walk-through typically takes place within 48 hours of closing to verify that the home is in the same condition as it was when you made the offer. This is also a good time to confirm that all required repairs have been made and all conditions of the sale have been met by the seller.

The home closing process is always changing. It is even referred to as settlement or escrow in different parts of the country.

Home closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title insurance, termite inspections, surveys, and appraisals).

The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for the property. All legal papers are filed with the local record office.

It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It’s important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.

You’ve unpacked your boxes, arranged your furniture, and feel complete with your moving task.

What's next? There is always an adjustment period when you move. It’s important to understand that what you, your spouse, and/or children may be feeling is completely normal.

Below is a list of a few things that may help

• Get outside and tour the neighborhood or take a drive and visit some new places around the community.

• E-mail old friends and neighbors to let them know about your new home and community.

• Start a list about what you like about your new home, school, neighborhood, etc.