Our homes are lifetime investments coupled with strong personal ties. Buying a home ranks among our clients' most important experiences and we approach the task with sensitivity, concern, and professional competence. We at Bishop Realtor Group find that our policy of making a thoroughly compiled list of potential properties and reviewing it in detail with the buyer reduces time and leads to a faster sale at a better price. You should know that our presentation is a measure of the quality of service that you can expect form us until your new home is closed. It's another reason why Bishop Realtor Group is among the leaders in the Texoma real estate market, and we thank you for this distinction and the opportunity to serve you! 

Preparation
It is important to know what amenities are a priority in the home you choose, like location and price. Do you have a home to sell before purchasing your new home? Make a list of needs, wants and financial parameters. Make the information available to your agent. Do your financial homework. Check credit scores, savings accounts, and type of loan you are considering, ensuring your dream of home ownership is in your near future. Consult with a lender for questions regarding home loan qualifications and possible pre-approval. Preparation is a key factor and assists your agent in compiling available properties that fit your criteria. 

Choosing a Home

There are many homes on the market, and it can seem overwhelming. Your agent will guide you to the homes that meet your criteria. You will view homes via scheduled showings. While viewing a home, take notes and obtain a brochure (if available) to remind yourself of the home’s amenities. You may see more than one home in a day, making it a little harder to remember one home from another. After all of this hard work, you will find your dream home!

Making an Offer
Once you find your dream home, you will make an offer on the property. It may take one or more counter-offers to come to an agreed contract and price. Once your offer and contract are accepted, you will start the option period (if applicable). The length of the option period is determined in the contract; it is usually around ten days. An option period is a specified time frame in a real estate contract which allows a buyer to terminate the contract for any reason. It creates the right to terminate within the specified number of days for a specified price. A “specified price” is an option fee, which is money paid by a buyer to a seller for the option to terminate a real estate contract. Option fee funds should not be confused with earnest money.

During this time, the buyer may obtain a home inspection. Making a small investment in an inspection now could save you substantial money in the future. A few areas inspectors check are structural, electrical, plumbing, built-in appliances, safety hazards, septic systems, decks/patios, and exterior structures.

After the option ends, your lender may require an appraisal and survey of the new home. Your loan will go through the final processing stages and then closing. 

Closing & Moving Into Your New Home

Transfer all utilities into your name for the day of move-in or closing date (whichever happens first) Electricity, gas, water, garbage/sewer, internet, phone, TV services, and fill out an address forwarding card at the post office. 

Once closing documents have been signed and the loan has funded, the home is yours!