How to buy a home in Northern Virginia Part 2

If you have not read  How to buy a home in Northern Virginia Part 1 , Check it out first!

Step 6 - Congratulations! You have decided to put the offer in right now to avoid losing the house you love to another buyer offer. Make sure it is your best offer. Even if you get the offer in first, you will most likely be competing against other offers. Sometimes an offer over list price, or with few or no contingencies, and with a significant earnest money deposit will be the most attractive to the seller, and will most likely get the acceptance.

Step 7 - Opening escrow, Due diligence, appraisal, financing finalization, closing.

I have included all of these in one step because I am working on the assumption you will be working with a professional real estate agent to purchase your home. During this time your agent should keep you updated in regards to significant deadlines. You will hire a home inspector that will comb over the property to find items that may need to be fixed before closing. An appraiser will appraise the home; financing will be finalized, and you will receive the "clear to close."

Step 7 can be a nightmare, but working with a professional will mitigate most of the problems that can pop up, and sometimes there are problems that no one can predict. 

Patience and the ability to adapt will be helpful during these unforeseen problems, and in the situation where the deal cannot be delivered, calmly walk away, and know that thousands of properties exist, and you will close on one eventually. Start over with a smile on your face :)