Buying a house is a scary move and many first-time buyers are still very apprehensive about the process. However, the more you know, the easier it can be. One of the biggest questions that many first-time buyers have is how long the process really takes. Here’s a good breakdown of the process and timelines when you buy your very first home.

Many buyers take several weeks, even months deciding that they’re even going to buy a house. It may be a split-second decision or it may be something that buyers contemplate for quite a while. Statistics show that buyers under the age of 50 tend to search for homes about 11 weeks before actually finding one, whereas those over the age of 50 tend to look for about eight weeks. (According to the Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report 2015)

On average it takes about 30 to 45 days to finalize all the documents necessary in order to close on a home. Finances take about a month and negotiations can take anywhere from an additional 10 days to 45 days.

If you need to get your credit in line this can take at least about eight weeks. If you’re just under the score for an FHA or conventional loan, you may want to spend a couple of months getting your finances in order and raising your credit score in order to get the best rate and terms.

If you already have a good credit score it takes about a week to research different mortgage options, which is a vital part of the home buying and borrowing process. You can literally save tens of thousands of dollars in interests and fees by researching the best loan for your needs. Buyers have choices of FHA loans which require a 3.5% down payment or conventional loans which typically require at least a 5% down payment and a credit score of 680. VA loans are also an option to help veterans and their families obtain excellent home financing.

Once you’ve decided on the mortgage, you’ll need about two days to a couple of weeks for preapproval. You want to seek preapproval prior to beginning your home search so that you have the documents in hand and you know exactly how much home you can afford. This process can take literally hours but could take up to a month depending on the type of loan you’re looking for, grants, personal assistance or increasing your credit score.

Read more: What is a Good Faith Estimate

Next, you’ll need to find a real estate agent and this can happen in one day or can take up to a month if you’re interviewing different agents. You want to get an agent that specifically helps buyers. There are many listing agents and solely buyer’s agents and some do both. You’ll want to find an agent that is proficient in the market, understands homes that could be overpriced and knows how to find a great deal. Your buyer’s agent is your advocate during the home buying and negotiating process so it’s crucial that you find someone with whom you feel comfortable and can trust.

Researching potential homes and neighborhoods could take several weeks but it also can happen at the drop of a hat. You might be surprised as to all the homes you look at only to go back to the very first one you ever viewed. Start your search online by browsing all homes for sale in Sunset Beach and outlying areas. You might find something more affordable and larger in the city just outside of Myrtle Beach.  Talk to your real estate agent about commute times, neighborhoods, school districts and what you really are looking for in a home purchase.

Read more: 5 Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a particular home the process is a little more streamlined. Negotiations can go on as long as the buyer and seller cannot agree. If buyer and seller agree to all negotiations from the first presentation of documents they can take no more than three days to have the property under contract. From there, you’ll move on to the home inspection.

Buyers typically have seven days to order and conduct a home inspection. The inspection will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and you want to a company your inspector to learn as much about your home as possible. After the inspection, negotiations will start up again if necessary. Buyers and sellers typically have three days to respond to certain requests and changes on the inspection report. This can go back and forth for several weeks until a mutual agreement is made. Again, this could happen immediately if the inspection is approved right away.

Read more: Homebuyers Checklist

Once the inspection is approved the sale goes on to “pending”. From here, it can take anywhere from one week to several weeks for the final closing to happen based on the initial terms in the purchase and sale agreement. Perhaps the seller asked for a little bit more time to move out. There’s usually a date on which the closing is to happen. If it needs to be changed it will also require mutual acceptance. On average, after the inspection, it’s typically 3 to 4 weeks before the buyer can receive the keys to the new home.

Again, based on finances, negotiations and terms in the purchase and sale contract, most real estate transactions last anywhere from 30 to 60 days.

If you’re ready to get started looking at homes throughout the Sunset Beach real estate market please contact my office today or let me know if you need referrals for home inspectors or lending options and feel free to browse the site for all properties for sale throughout the area.