What to Do After Your Homebuying Offer is Accepted

One of the single most exciting points in any homebuying journey, at least for most buyers, comes when they receive word that a seller has accepted their home offer. This is a major moment in the process, one that moves you from the searching phase to the buying phase quickly -- and while you should do a little brief celebrating, you should also be prepared to move forward quickly and amicably when this happens.

At Integrity First Lending, we've worked with numerous clients toward this goal and the ultimate dream of homeownership, from first-time homebuyers to many others on the market. What are some of our top recommendations for how to proceed after your offer has been accepted on a home? Here's a basic layout.

Home Inspection

When your offer is accepted, you'll enter into a period where you're able to have a professional home inspector come in and look at the property. This is an important step, even if the home appears to be in pristine condition, as inspectors can often spot issues that the average person would miss. The inspection report can also be used as leverage during negotiations if there are any items of concern.

Collect Proper Documents

There are a number of documents that may be required as you move forward with the homebuying process. These can include everything from employment verification to proof of funds for your mortgage down payment. Be sure to ask your lender what will be required so that you can have everything in order before moving ahead.

If you're self-employed, the documents required may be more in-depth, so it's important to plan ahead.

Be Cognizant of Calls and Emails

The few days and weeks after having your offer accepted will likely be busy, and you need to be prepared for this. Emails and calls from people like your lender, your realtor, and the sellers' agent will be coming in regularly, and it's important that you're responsive to avoid any delays in the process.

Always Stay Amicable With the Seller

While on rare occasions the seller may accept your offer without a single counter or change, the far more common scenario is that there will be some back-and-forth before an agreement is reached. It's important to remember that the seller is likely going through their own emotional experience as they move forward, so even if negotiations get heated, try to remain calm and amicable.

Get in Touch With Us Today

At Integrity First Lending, we have a team of loan officers who are passionate about helping people achieve their homeownership dreams. If you're getting ready to move forward with an offer on a home, or if you have any questions about the process, we're here to help. Contact us today to get started.