The home buying process usually involves several steps:

a. Financing: If you need financing, you must obtain a pre-approval or approval for a mortgage loan before beginning the search and visits. This is essential to ensure that you are able to make an offer on your ideal home, without running the risk of losing it to another potential interested party, or even the value of the deposit.

b. Research and Financial Qualification: Initially, you must carry out research to identify your needs and establish a budget. Financial qualification is important to determine the amount you can spend.

 c. Property Search: Based on your needs and budget, a search is made for properties available on the market. This can be done through real estate websites, real estate agents or specialist buyer consultants.

d. Visits: After finding potential homes, scheduling and visits proceed to evaluate the property.

e. Negotiation: As soon as you find the desired home, the negotiation process with the seller begins. This involves discussing the price and terms of the sale (down payment amount, deadlines for signing the Promise Purchase and Sale Agreement, financing conditions, deadlines for deeds, equipment that remains in the house, among others).

f. Deed: The deed involves signing legal documents, transferring funds, and obtaining the keys to the new home.

Qualifying for a mortgage loan involves evaluating your credit, income, debts and other financial factors. You must maintain a good credit history, have a stable source of income and meet the requirements of the bank or financial institution. We work with buyers to help them understand and meet these requirements, involving partners specializing in bank credit.

After approval for a mortgage loan, the home buying process continues with several important steps:

1. House Search:
– With credit approval, you have a more accurate idea of the available budget. This may lead to a review of available housing options, now considering possibilities within the approved budget.

2. Preparation for Offers:
– With the choice of the desired house, you can proceed with preparing a purchase offer. This offer includes the price they are willing to pay for the house, deadlines for the deed, the amount of the deposit to be made, as well as any conditions or contingencies you wish to include in the contract.

3. Acceptance of the Offer:
– If the offer is accepted by the owner, the process enters the contract phase. At this time, it is important to coordinate with your bank, or credit manager, and closely follow the deadlines and requirements established in the purchase and sale contract. A bank assessment may be required before signing the contract.

4. Preparation for the deed:
– you must gather all the property documentation to deliver to your bank and begin the property evaluation process, as well. the final review of documents, checking that all details comply with the terms of the contract, and preparing the necessary funds for the purchase.

5. Deed:
– The deed is the final stage of the process, where buyers and the owner meet to sign the final documents and officially transfer the property. At this point, buyers receive the keys to their new home.

It’s important to note that getting approved for a mortgage is a critical step, but the home buying process can continue with several other considerations and steps. We are here to guide our customers through each phase, provide assistance and ensure your  home buying experience is successful and hassle-free.

Negotiating the price of a home involves communicating effectively with the seller or the seller’s real estate agent. Buyers can make offers, counteroffers, and consider factors such as the market value and condition of the property. Our team has experience in negotiation strategies to obtain the best conditions for our clients.

The costs inherent to purchasing the house will have to be added to the price of the house. These include property taxes, deed values and insurance. It is important to know all the costs to define your real budget.

The location of a home plays a fundamental role in quality of life. Proximity to workplaces, schools, commerce and services influences the daily routine. Additionally, location can also affect the property’s potential appreciation over time. Therefore, it is essential to choose a location that meets your needs and expectations.

Choosing an experienced real estate agent is essential. You should look for someone with a proven track record of success and who understands your needs. Our expert buyer advisors are committed to serving buyers’ interests and work closely with them to find their ideal home.

RE/MAX is a globally renowned brand in the real estate market. Working with RE/MAX consultants offers a sense of trust and credibility throughout the property buying and selling process, namely:

1. A network of more than 12,000 real estate consultants in Portugal

2. Access to a Broad Housing Market.

3. Knowledge of the local market.

4. Years of experience in real estate negotiations.

5. Cutting-edge technology in home promotion/search.

These personalized benefits reflect our commitment to offering a high-quality service to all of our clients, regardless of their needs or interests in the real estate market.

A real estate consultant who specializes in buyers acts as a dedicated ally in the buyer’s interests. Our team protects buyers’ interests, finds properties that meet their needs, negotiates on their behalf and offers guidance and support throughout the buying process.

Avoiding common pitfalls requires knowledge and experience. We share valuable tips with our customers to help them avoid common mistakes, such as:

– do not ask about works carried out on the property and/or building, or future works planned in the condominium, and the expected costs for them,

– not fully understanding the terms of the contract

 – not carrying out comprehensive market research, which will allow you to understand whether or not you are making a safe purchase.