Buying a property is the most tedious process. However, following this 8 step-by-step guide can make this process a little simpler for you. This guide could act as a checklist during your property buying process, making you confident about your decision.

1. Find the right agent
An important partner in your home-buying process, a property agent is the first person you should hire. Look for an agent who is well-versed and has an experience in the localities of your choice. Pick an agent with good business acumen about the current real estate market. Their knowledge about the localities and surroundings, and home-buying process as a whole coupled with negotiation skills can prove to be boon for you as a homebuyer.

2. Begin to identify properties
An agent, once hired, will be your partner from the very beginning of the process. Along with your agent, begin to find the potential property options in the localities of your choice. Make sure the properties you choose fits the list of your key parameters of home buying. Figure out your expectations from your home such as amenities, features and specifications. Start touring these properties and strike out the ones that are not fulfilling all the key parameters you want in your home. Make a list of all the things you saw in each property, take pictures and make videos. Sit down and put all of these together to shortlist.

3. Know how much can you afford
The price of the property is a crucial parameter. Know that apart from the cost of the property, there are other overhead charges, too. This includes stamp duty, legal fees, brokerage fees, property tax, etc. Define how you plan to invest in a property. Now, pick the shortlisted properties and begin to evaluate their worth in context of the selling price of these properties. Once you find a property that fits your budget, begin to look for a bank that offers attractive rate of interest on home loan.

4. Perform legal diligence
Whether you are buying a primary or a secondary property, make sure that the developer or the seller has the title of the property (the right to sell). In case the property is in a housing society, know all about their occupancy certificate and safety certificates. The home-buying process would also require a legal expert to read into the agreement and also, handle other legal formalities.

5. Make an offer
Once you’ve found the house you’re looking for it’s time to work with your real estate agent to make an offer. Discuss your offer strategy with your agent: Is the home priced fairly? What will make your offer stand out? Your real estate agent will know what is best for the housing market conditions. They will take into consideration your budget and the asking price for comparable homes in your area when making an offer that will stand out to home sellers.

6. Prepare to negotiate
In understanding how to buy a house, know that you’ll likely receive a counter-offer and need to negotiate with the seller. Your agent will help you through the negotiation process and decide what the best option is: waiving contingencies, raising your earnest money or overall price, or changing the closing date. Expect that you may go back and forth with the seller before reaching an agreement on the offer.

7. Inspect the home
One of the most important steps to buying a house is a home inspection, which identifies existing structural, electrical, or plumbing issues with the home. You’ll want to hire a professional home inspector to conduct a thorough inspection of the home’s condition.They will test the operational status of all major systems – plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling – and check the roof, the foundation, and the home’s exterior. If the inspection report indicates any major issues with the home, you can try to negotiate repairs or a lower price with the seller.

8. Get the keys
You’ve reached the final steps to buy a house. On your closing date the money has been exchanged and the title is now in your name. A title company or real estate attorney will close the transaction and you will typically get the keys after 5 p.m. on your close date. Depending on if your house is turnkey ready or not, there might be some maintenance and remodeling you want to complete before moving in. You’ll also want to think about hiring movers, buying new furniture and appliances, setting up your utilities, etc. You’ll pay for these after the house is yours but may want to factor them into your budget or create a separate post-move budget.