Once you've found the house that you want to buy, you might feel a huge sense of relief. Of course, the process isn't over just yet! You have a few more things that you need to take care of before you can start moving in. Make sure that you cross all the t's and dot all the i's, and before you know it, you'll have those house keys in your hand!

Making an Offer

If you haven't had a chance to compare your chosen home to other houses for sale, take a bit of time to do so now. This will help you get a better idea of the right price to offer. You can even get a free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) online in minutes. If the sellers are asking a comparatively low price, you can consider yourself lucky. However, if the house that you like is considerably more expensive than similar houses on the market, you will have to do some negotiating especially during the current housing slump. Don't be afraid to ask the sellers how they arrived at the asking price. If they volunteer the information that they took out a second mortgage and have to sell for a certain amount in order to pay off their mortgages, you probably won't have much luck talking them down BUT no matter how much you love a house, it's usually not worth it to overpay. You might have trouble if you wind up needing to sell in a few years.

Once you're convinced that you have a fair price in mind, it's time to make the offer to the sellers. Ask the sellers if they have blank purchase agreements. If they don't, search online, or talk to a real estate lawyer and get a copy of your county's purchase agreement. Most are pretty straight forward, and you shouldn't have much trouble filling it out. It's usually a good policy to ask for everything that you'd like up front. The sellers might want to make a counter offer, so ask for some things that you're prepared to give up. For example, it would be nice if the sellers fixed that saggy porch railing, but you could do it yourself. If they agree to your offering price, you can agree to do the porch fix-up. Making an offer on a house is usually a great game of compromise.

After you both agree to the terms, make sure everything is written down and signed by both parties. Now is the time that you really need to get your real estate attorney involved. The sellers will undoubtedly be taking their copy to a lawyer, so make sure that you get equal protection. Once your contract has been approved by a legal professional, fulfill any obligations on your purchase agreement. If you asked for the right to an inspection, pick up the phone and get one scheduled! If you waive your right to an inspection, or don't complete it within the allotted time, you won't have a leg to stand on if the roof caves in on your second day of ownership. Cover your bases!

Congratulations On Your New Home!

When you've taken care of all the paperwork and you're ready to hand over that check, sit down with your lawyer one more time and make sure that you haven't missed a step. This is the most exciting time, because your new house is so close, but take a step back and get confirmation that everything is ready to go. Don't let your excitement overwhelm you. Make a master list of all the necessary calls that you have to make. You'll need to have your utilities switched over, hire a moving company, handle any necessary school arrangements, clean out your current house, pack up, and much more. Cross items off your to-do list as you accomplish them. When you get everything finished, you'll be able to move into your new home completely stress-free. What could be better than that?