Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate Invest In Your Future With Us
You've heard it before but we'll say it again: Buying a home is easily the biggest purchase you'll make in your lifetime. We know that here in Asheville and Western North Carolina, there are many capable Realtors to choose from. But we also know that our agents at GreyBeard Realty are more than just capable and cover regions across Western North Carolina. We commit ourselves each day to helping our clients from near and far find the primary or second home that completes their lifestyle here. Our GreyBeard Realtors love living in Asheville and the surrounding communities, and we're excited each time we can help someone fall in love with living here, too.
Buyer's Guide
Home Buyer's ABCs
A:
Assess what you want versus what you need.
Prior to househunting, assess what you really need to have…and what would be a real bonus…and what you absolutely couldn’t live with. How large a home do you need? Do you need 7 bedrooms so the whole family can come stay with you or do you want a charming two bedroom with little upkeep required? Do you want a master bedroom on the first level? How much work do you want to do prior to moving in? How much time will you spend at the house? Do you want to list it for seasonal rentals until retirement or move there yourself immediately? Is an open floor plan a must? Can you live in a mountain home without a fireplace?
Approval for loan prior to searching.
Pre-approval for a loan can save time and heartbreak. If you find the home of your dreams and have to wait to get the loan approved, someone else may get your dream house. And if you want a three story, 5 bedroom home but can only get a mortgage for a one bedroom, finding that out prior to house hunting is really helpful.
B:
Buying your bread.
Ask yourself, how far do I want to travel to buy a loaf of bread? And do I want to buy my bread from a bakery or chain grocery store? A secluded home may be what you want, but if you want to walk to a quaint market to buy bread, then the ideal log cabin at the top of the mountain may be out of the question.
Buyer beware: Hire a home inspector.
A home inspection can bring to light some issues that can be addressed prior to closing on the home. For example, are the foundation cracks cosmetic or should the seller take care of that before you close?
C:
Check out the neighborhood, especially the schools.
Walk around the neighborhood to get a feel for it. If you have children, are the schools the best in the area? Are the property taxes manageable? If you are retiring, are you the only house on the block without a swing set in the yard? How easy is the neighborhood to walk your dog in?
Choose your Realtor.
Select a Realtor with whom you are comfortable. Ask friends in the area and consider how much experience the Realtors have in the area. Does the staff change often? Are the Realtors from the area with local family commitments and good knowledge of the area? Do you feel as if the Realtor listens to your wants and needs?
Asheville Vacation Homes and Rentals
Many of our customers enlist our help in finding the perfect Asheville vacation cabin. We think that there's no better place to vacation and that we're the perfect team to assist you! Read more about the advantages of buying your Asheville vacation home with us.
In addition to the quality Realtors at GreyBeard Realty, Asheville homebuyers who work with us gain access to our resources at GreyBeard Rentals. If you're purchasing a vacation or retirement home and plan to rent it out while it's not in use, GreyBeard's award-winning rental division can help you develop a rental plan and manage the property for you.
Reasons To Buy with Our Experts
When you choose us, you get individualized attention and unparalleled resources. Our Realtors serve on local community boards and coach many of our youth sports teams in the Asheville area. We know the particular appeal of each local community as well as the varied homes on the market in each area. Our Realtors have their families here and plan to stay here, so we understand that quality service and not quantity of sales will maintain the incredible quality of life that the Asheville area offers.
Additionally, if you buy a fixer-upper, we will happily use our vast network of resources to find qualified service providers including electricians, plumbers and carpenters, all through our maintenance system within our rental division.
The Home Buying Process
No need to be overwhelmed at the prospect of purchasing a home. Sure, it's a lengthy and involved process, but we've broken it down step-by-step and are here to help you during each one of those steps. Despite all the help we'll give you, it's good to know what you're getting into from the get-go. Here's a general guide for the real estate buying process:
1. Do your research
It's time to discover what's out there! After you've decided what kind of property you want to buy, consider the following questions. Then use our property search tool or browse real estate listings by category to find matching Asheville-area homes for sale.
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What's important to you in a location?
- School district
- Work commute
- Neighborhood or community
- Close access to town or private mountain setting
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Is the price right?
- Calculate mortgage payments
- Consider the sale of any currently owned real estate
2. Meet with your Realtor
- The buyer's agent is your best friend during this process: the agent looks out for the buyer's interest and acts as an advocate as well as helps with negotiations and closing.
- Take advantage of time with your agent to let them know exactly what you're looking for and your agent may have some suggestions based on your desired criteria.
3. Get pre-approved
- Money talks. You must find out how much a bank will lend you to purchase a home.
- Decide on a good mortgage broker, who will check your credit report, review your tax returns, bank statements, and more.
4. Search listings and schedule viewings
- Browse listings in your desired area and look for open houses.
- Your agent will make recommendations for homes to take a look at.
- When you find a home you'd like to purchase, act fast.
5. Make an offer
Your agent will help you present an offer to the seller and handle any negotiations on your behalf. They are responsible for helping you get the best price possible.
6. Choose an attorney
It is likely that your buyer's agent can help you get a real estate attorney, who will prepare closing documents and explain the legal implications of purchasing property.
7. Get a home inspection
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Know the property you're buying.
- A licensed inspector will check house structure, evidence of termites, mold, or any other issue that the seller may need to take care of.
- Consider optionally available radon testing
8. Purchase process
- Your agent will prepare a purchase and sale agreement; buyer and seller will sign required documents.
- Agents will draw clear lines for contingencies and responsibilities of both parties.
9. Closing
You're almost there!
- You and your agent can arrange a walk-through to make sure nothing has changed on the day before or day of your closing.
- HUD settlement statement will be signed and recorded by attorney.
Questions? Get answers from one of our experienced Realtors. Contact us here.