Researching how to buy a house in Virginia can be an exciting and challenging process. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to upgrade to your dream home, there are many factors to consider when making such a significant purchase.
From researching neighborhoods and finding the perfect home to obtaining a mortgage and closing on the sale, the process can be complex and time-consuming.
However, with the right real estate agent, you can make the process of buying a house in Virginia a breeze. Here is a 10-step comprehensive guide on the steps you need to take to buy a house in Virginia. Take a look here for some information on finding the right neighborhood in Hampton Roads.
Reach out if you have questions or comments, or if you are ready to get started on your journey of how to buy a home in Virginia! Keep in mind that this is not a fool-proof process and everyone’s experience is a bit different.
How Long Does it take to Buy a House in Virginia?
Typically purchasing a home takes about 30-45 days. From pre-qualification to shopping, to your offer being accepted, then finally handing you the keys to your new home. Depending on the market and what kind of home you are looking for it can be shorter, or longer, but normally it takes about a month!
How to Buy a House with Bad Credit
While many different loan types like FHA will accept bad credit up to a 580 credit score, the benefits and risks aren’t worth it. I recommend connecting with Credit Kwondo, my credit repair specialist Dwayne and his team.
How to Prepare to Buy a House in Virginia
Preparing to buy a house in Virginia can seem a bit overwhelming, but in actuality preparing to buy a house is pretty easy. Start by scheduling a buyer to consult with Niquo Hawkins to assess where you are. A good rule of thumb is to have at least a 620 credit score “although we can do lower”, but having above a 620 credit score is the most beneficial route.
When looking at home prices, multiply the home price by 3-6%. This percentage is how much of a down payment to buy a house in Virginia is needed. This isn’t always the case, because Niquo has represented countless clients and got them into their homes for under $2-3,000.00.
How to Buy a House in Virginia with No Money
Buying a home in Virginia with no money down isn’t as difficult or impossible as others make it seem. A VHDA loan is one of the best ways. A VHDA loan takes away the upfront financial obligation and incorporates the cost into the loan.
Another way to purchase a home with no money down is a VA loan. This loan is reserved only for our beloved United States Military and qualifying reservists.
This doesn’t take away the financial responsibility of closing costs. 75-80% of buyers that are represented by Niquo paid little to no closing costs and put no money down.
The 10 Steps to Buying a House in Virginia
If you follow these steps you will learn exactly what you need to buy a house in Virginia. You can always ask questions, save this article, or give us a call today!
First Step – Determine Your Budget
One of the first things to do when buying a house in Virginia is to determine what your monthly budget will be. Do this before you start looking at any houses on the market. You do not want to fall in love with a home, just to realize it is out of your budget.
Take a look at your income, how much do you make a month? This will give you a great idea of how much you can spend on a mortgage payment. Do not forget to add in your other monthly payments as well. Your car, credit cards, monthly subscriptions, child care, student debts, and any other fixed costs. Taking a realistic look through your finances and spending habits will help you with the first step on how to buy a house in Virginia.
Take a look at one of our tools on the contact page. It is a super fun and informational mortgage calculator.
Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage
When buying a home in Virginia the second step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This is step is very important for multiple reasons. First, it helps to give you an idea of what kind of interest rate you will be paying. Being pre-approved also gives you an edge over other buyers. This is because it will show the sellers you are serious and have finical backing.
This step does get a little personal. With some important documents that are requirements to buy a house in Virginia. The most common paperwork to provide to your lender is your income, employment verification, and your credit score.
Next, your lender will use this information to get you preliminary approval for a loan. This includes an estimated interest rate and the maximum amount of loan you will be approved for.
Reach out today to Daniel@vawholesalemtg.com and get started on your pre-approval journey!
It is Now Time to Contact Niquo Hawkins to Find you Your Dream Home in VA
Now you are at the step where it is time to step up a meeting with Niquo. You could always do this way before you reach step 3, he will help you through the entire process of what you need to buy a house in Virginia.
Niquo Hawkins is a highly experienced and reputable real estate agent in Virginia. He has a deep understanding of the local market and has helped many first-time home buyers to find their dream homes. You can rest easy knowing that he has your back at the table from start to finish.
Research Neighborhoods
There are so many wonderful neighborhoods in Hampton Roads and throughout VA. The fourth step in the home-buying process is to research what kind of neighborhood fits your lifestyle and budget. After you figure that out, you can look up the crime rates, the quality of schools, and the proximity to your workplace.
Although this may seem difficult, it is one of the best parts about buying a house in Virginia. You get to pick if you want to live in a suburban area, downtown in a rustic loft, or maybe even out in the country with a big ole yard.
Start House Hunting in your Favorite Neighborhoods
You are up to the 5th step on how to buy a house in Virginia. This is one of the best, most tiring, and extremely exciting steps all at the same time. You will be very involved with your real estate agent at this point.
Be sure to communicate exactly what you are looking for. You can make a list of the most important home features to you. Such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square feet this will help narrow down the homes in your favorite areas. It is also important to remember your budget when you start house hunting online.
A few things to keep in mind while you are inside the house are the size of the rooms, the layout of the home, when it was built, and the current condition of the home.
Already know your criteria, want to stay in the loop? Jump over to our search page, easily input your criteria, and make a profile to save your results. With this profile, Niquo can set you up with his free home list email. This is tailored specifically to your criteria and keeps you in the know when new listings fit your needs! Set it up here..
Set Time Aside to Tour Homes for Sale
Now you are ready to start setting time aside to go and view all of the houses on your list. Your real estate agent in Virginia will contact the sellers or agents of the homes you would like to see. If you are out of town Niquo will go and check out the homes for you, he has an excellent eye and will always have your back.
If you are around and can tour the homes in person it is always a good idea to bring your list of must-needs with you. During these viewings, you will be allowed to walk around the home. This is a great time to see any potential problems and check out the neighborhood. Make sure your camera is charged and ready to take photos. And most importantly do not let the process stress you out.
The more viewings you do the more you realize what you do and do not want in your new home. Make sure to only make an offer on the homes that you can see yourself happily living in, or fixing up because buying a home in Virginia is very personal and an important time in your life.
Make an Offer on Your Dream Home
You are now ready to start the process of making an offer and buying a house in Virginia! Once you reach this step you will feel like a home-buying pro! This is a crucial part of the home-buying process in Virginia and will affect you for years to come. It is so important to listen to the advice your agent gives you.
When you work with Niquo he will negotiate on your behalf to agree on the price and the terms of the sale. He will also determine the best price by researching the recent homes that sold in the neighborhood. It’s important to keep in mind that the process of making an offer and negotiating takes time. Be patient and trust in the process.
Schedule a Home Inspection
Up next is one of the most important requirements to buy a house in Virginia, the home inspection.
Before closing on the property you will need a professional inspection of the house to make sure there are no major issues with the structure, systems, and components. When getting a home inspection they will provide you with a detailed report of their findings, including any issues they discover. They will also add a list of recommendations for repairs or further evaluation.
These inspection reports will help you to understand the condition of the house you are buying. It will also identify any potential problems that may need to be addressed before closing on the property. You do not want to skip this step some problems you cannot see and need a professional to do their thing.
Close on the Perfect House in VA
If everything goes smoothly at the home inspection or if the sellers fix all of the problems, it is now time to close on your brand-new home in Virginia!
Closing on a house is one of the final steps in the home-buying process in Virginia. This is where the legal documents are signed, funds are transferred and the ownership is moved from the seller to the buyer. It is important to review and understand all of the legal documents that will be required to be signed. Be aware of the closing costs that will be incurred. You can figure this out with your real estate agent’s help.
Once all the paperwork is signed and the funds have been cleared, you will officially become the new owner of a house in Virginia! You will finally get your keys and take possession of the property. Time to celebrate!
Start your Big Move-in to Your Newly Purchased Home
Pop the bubbly! Your months, or years, of hard work and planning, finally are paying off. It is time to start moving into your new house! This is the most exciting step. Before you move in, make sure that your new house is cleaned and in good condition. It is a good idea to do any small repairs or painting before you move all of your beloved belongings in.
Once you are settled in, start making your new house feel like home. Congratulations you are now a homeowner in Virginia!
