Homebuying 101

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Homebuying101

Fulton Homes

Posted: 5/10/2022

HOMEBUYING 101

Purchasing a home for the first time can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in a person's life. However, many first-time homebuyers don't know where to begin and have dozens of questions about the process. With 40 years of experience in the home building industry, Fulton Homes' associates are prepared to answer those questions and guide new clients on their homebuying journey.

In today's digital world, the simplicity of shopping online for the perfect home makes it easy to fall in love with a property that may be outside of your price range. That's why the first thing to do before perusing new homes online (or in person) is to get prequalified for a home loan. This process will establish a budget for you to work with and let you know how much money you'll need for a down payment. Fulton Homes' preferred lenders will also explain different types of down payment programs, loan types and options that will best suit your home buying needs.

Once a budget is established, the fun part of the process begins. First, narrow down the cities and parts of town that seem most desirable to you. Don't forget to factor school districts, access to shopping and restaurants, or your commute time when selecting an area. If you're driving through master planned communities, take note of the age and condition of the houses and any community spaces. At Fulton Homes, we take great pride in the construction of our homes and the maintenance of our amenities. Take a look at our full list of Fulton communities to see if you can spot the quality in a city near you.

Now that you've determined a location, the next decision to consider is the size and layout of your new home. Many first-time homebuyers will be planning for children in the future and others may be thinking about having their elder parents or family members move in with them sometime down the road. Fulton Homes has interactive floor plans that can be customized down to the last detail, and some even include double master-bedroom or Mother-in-Law suites.

Take some time to decide on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you'll need and then think about what type of floor plan will make the most sense for your family's structure now and in the future. Will you need a home office or gym? Do you prefer a one or two-story house? With Fulton Homes you'll be able to browse through hundreds of floor plans and thousands of design options online.

Finally, you can make an appointment to visit the 13,000-square-foot Design Center to make the rest of your choices regarding your beautiful, perfectly customized home. This will include everything from flooring and paint colors to cabinetry and lighting.

Once you've selected a home and the offer and terms have been solidified by both parties, you'll be under contract. From this point forward, you'll receive updates on the progress of your home if you choose to go with new construction. However, if you select a home that is already built and being resold, you will skip that step and go directly into the inspection and appraisal period. Your Realtor will walk you through those steps and explain the findings of both reports to you. If you are working with Fulton Homes, you can expect your home inspection to be performed by our C.O.R.E. Management Team. These inspections are so thorough and frequent that you will find seven different signatures inside the electrical panel of your new home documenting each inspection prior to move-in day.

Finally, regardless of the type of home you're purchasing, the last step in the homebuying process is the final walkthrough. This is your last chance to examine the property and ensure that everything is up to par before signing your closing documents. With Fulton Homes, you'll accompany our Customer Care department on your final walkthrough. This department is a separate division of Fulton Homes that does not answer to the construction division of the company and will provide an unbiased, accurate report on the findings of your home's final walkthrough with you. If anything needs to be repaired or corrected at this point, it will be taken care of. Plus, the Customer Care team will continue helping you through your entire warranty period after you've moved into your home.

There is no doubt that purchasing your first home can be a whirlwind of excitement, and anticipation. So, to ensure your homebuying experience is as smooth as possible, always work with reputable loan officers, Realtors, and home builders, such as Fulton Homes. When you're surrounded by experts in their respective fields, your questions will be answered quickly, and your concerns will be handled with care. To learn more about some of Fulton Homes latest communities, click here.

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