How to Buy a Home: 10 Easy Steps with Virginia Cook, Realtors:

Whether you're relocating for company purposes or need more room for a growing family, Virginia Cook, Realtors is ready to help. Here is an overview of what is involved.

1. Conduct a preliminary search for homes at www.virginiacook.com

2. Contact one of our sales associates to get valuable home buying tips, current housing market and financial information.

3. Determine how much home you can afford by talking with one of our Granite Mortgage consultants.

4. Apply with Granite Mortgage for a free pre-approval before you begin looking at homes.

5. Ask your sales associate to show you the houses that meet your needs and budget.

6. Once you find a home that you want to make an offer on, you will sign a purchase agreement and give the seller option and earnest money.

7. Have your new home inspected during the Option period to ensure that there is nothing seriously wrong with the property and get homeowner’s insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen problems.

8. Your Granite Mortgage consultant can now begin the appraisal and title process and lock in your interest rate. You will receive a new good faith estimate showing monthly mortgage payment and estimated cash need for closing. The title company will notify you of the time and date you will close on your home and the items you will need to bring to the closing.

9. Notify your phone company, utilities (don't forget water and sewer), moving company, post office, newspaper and magazines, friends and family and change your mailing address.

10. Pack and move!