Text or Call Us! (337) 305-8040
Text or Call Us! (337) 305-8040
Blog
3 Unusual Things You Can Do To Add Value to Your House in Lake Charles
June 3, 2023
By Candice
On average over the long haul, homes usually increase in value. That, of course, is good news for both buyers and homeowners. Still, they should do whatever they can to ensure that their home appreciates, especially if they intend to sell later. No doubt, you’ve heard all the conventional advice about how to add value
Exactly How Much Money You Need to Buy a House in Lake Charles
May 3, 2023
By Candice
Despite the often long and complicated process, buying a new home is almost always an exciting adventure. But there’s that small matter of money that usually dampens the excitement. Many home buyers, especially first-time buyers, just don’t realize the true cost of buying a house and how much money they’ll need
An Average Timeframe for Buying a House in Lake Charles
April 3, 2023
By Candice
How long does the process of buying a house take? The short and not-very-helpful answer is anywhere from four weeks to six months or more. There are so many variables involved – things such as local market conditions, how picky a buyer is, how strong the buyer’s offer is, and how good the buyer’s agent
Visiting Open Houses in Lake Charles? Here’s What You Need to Know
March 3, 2023
By Candice
Are you thinking about visiting some open houses? Great! It’s a good way to determine whether you’re really ready to buy, to get a good feel for what’s on the market in your area, to figure out what you like and don’t like, and to begin to get a handle on exactly how much house
4 Things You Need to Expect When Selling With an Agent
September 5, 2023
By Candice
Are you working with a local Lake Charles agent to sell your house? Or maybe you’re thinking about it? If so, we’ve collected the top 4 things you need to expect when selling with an agent — to help you navigate this process easily! There are many ways to sell your house and many people
How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent that Fits Your Needs in Lake Charles
September 5, 2023
By Candice
Are you thinking about selling your Lake Charles house with the help of an agent? There are so many agents out there that it’s hard to know which one’s the right one. That’s why we’re sharing this blog post about how to find the right real estate agent that fits your needs in Lake Charles.
Buying A House? Demand These 3 Things From Your Agent In Lake Charles or 70605
September 5, 2023
By Candice
If you’re thinking about buying a house in Lake Charles, and if you’re going to buy one with the help of an agent, make sure you get the service you need. Read this blog post for information about buying a house? Demand these 3 things from your agent in Lake Charles… If you’re planning to
Recent Posts
3 Unusual Things You Can Do To Add Value to Your House in Lake Charles
Exactly How Much Money You Need to Buy a House in Lake Charles
An Average Timeframe for Buying a House in Lake Charles
Visiting Open Houses in Lake Charles? Here’s What You Need to Know
Buying A House? Demand These 3 Things From Your Agent In Lake Charles or 70605
Did you know...
Over 88% of buyers & sellers have worked with a real estate agent?
An Average Timeframe for Buying a House in Lake Charles
April 3, 2023
By Candice
How long does the process of buying a house take? The short and not-very-helpful answer is anywhere from four weeks to six months or more. There are so many variables involved – things such as local market conditions, how picky a buyer is, how strong the buyer’s offer is, and how good the buyer’s agent is – that it’s difficult to predict with much accuracy. But we can arrive at a pretty decent estimate of the average time by breaking down the process into its constituent steps. Read on, then, to find out about the average timeframe for buying a house in Lake Charles.
Overview of the House-Buying Timeframe
Let’s begin with an overview of the process of buying a house in Lake Charles to get a general idea of the average timeframe.
Once you’ve made the definite decision to buy, your first step should be to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This can often be done in one day.
After you have your pre-approval letter in hand, you’ll begin serious house hunting. “[T]he typical buyer tours nine homes over eight weeks before finding their ideal house.”
Then you make an offer. “After you submit an offer and are under contract, it takes an average of 49 days to close and get your keys.”
“With these estimates, you can move into a new home in four months or less.” But it can and often does take much longer, and occasionally it happens more quickly. “These timeframes can vary, as some lenders close quicker, some buyers take longer to choose a home, and some sellers take longer to accept an offer.”
Steps in Buying a House and Time for Each
To arrive at a better understanding of the average timeframe for buying a house in Lake Charles, let’s break the process down into various steps and see how long each one takes on average.
Planning to Buy in the Early Stages
Really, the process of buying a house in Lake Charles or anywhere else begins long before you actually take any concrete action. There is that typically long period at the very beginning where you toss the idea around and begin formulating a buying plan, which, industry pros say, should begin at least six months before you set out on the actual buying process.
Selecting a Lender
Once you’ve made the firm decision that you’re going to buy, you’ll need to select your mortgage lender. This is an important step because the right lender “can help you decide which loan type is right for you. They’ll also help you consider down payment options and strategize to improve your credit score if necessary.”
This step is usually completed in one to a few days. But for first-time buyers who are utterly unfamiliar with the process, it can take much longer.
Getting Pre-approved
The next step toward buying a house in Lake Charles is getting pre-approved for a mortgage, which takes a minimum of one day. With your pre-approval letter in hand, you will be perceived as a serious buyer by sellers, and, as a result, you’ll have much more negotiating leverage.
Finding a Good Agent
Before you begin house hunting in earnest, you should find and engage the services of an experienced local agent. An agent can “help you find homes, communicate with the seller, and negotiate the home sale. An experienced real estate agent knows the neighborhoods and provides insights into the local housing market.”
Finding the right agent for you is a process that typically takes at least a week but usually more. To find out more about this step, you can contact a Lake Charles agent at (337) 305-8040.
Shopping for the New House
This is the stage in buying a house in Lake Charles or anywhere else where things get serious. The average timeframe here is about eight weeks.
“It’s helpful to know what you want ahead of time, refine your home search, and guide your real estate agent. If you’re not sure what your dream home looks like, touring properties can help you set those expectations. Keep a list of your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. This can save you time touring and helps you make your final housing decision.”
Making an Offer
Making an offer is quick and takes only a day or so, but that’s not the end of it because it will also involve the negotiating process. Often, the seller will reject your offer or make a counteroffer, and then you and your agent will make your own counteroffer. And this back and forth may continue for some time. And then there are the contingencies to hammer out and negotiate, which adds even more time.
So the offer stage can drag on for weeks. To expedite things here, be sure to lean on your Lake Charles agent’s expertise. To discover more about this, just call (337) 305-8040 is one of waiting on your part while the loan is processed and underwritten and the title search is conducted. It can take one to several days.
“Loan processors comb through your mortgage application and ensure they have everything needed for full mortgage approval. Next, the application goes to the underwriter for verification. Underwriters look for inconsistencies in your credit report, credit score, and property details. If anything comes up, the underwriter will reach out with questions.”
In addition to the home appraisal and inspection, there will also be a title search. “Title companies perform a title search to determine who owns the property for sale and has the right to sell it. They’ll also look for an easement or right of way that may prevent you from completing projects, like installing a pool. The end goal is to ensure the seller has the right to sell the home, and protect the buyer’s future ownership.” And this can add days to weeks to the timeframe.
Closing
This is the final step in the process and typically takes about three days. “When the closing reports are complete, you’ll receive a closing disclosure to review and finalize your loan. This specifies the loan’s terms and costs with exact figures. It’s a good idea to perform a final walk-through and inspect the home to ensure everything is in good shape for move-in. Finally, you’ll come to closing day. You and the seller will sign the final paperwork, transfer necessary funds, and you’ll get your keys.”
Timeframe Assistance When Buying a House in Lake Charles
So what is the average timeframe for buying a house? Really, there are so many variables involved that it’s hard to predict with much accuracy. But without your professional guidance and assistance, it can easily run into many months. But with an experienced Lake Charles agent in your corner, that time can often be shortened. So when buying a house in Lake Charles is on your agenda, be sure to contact us today at (337) 305-8040.
Recent Posts
Did you know...
Over 88% of buyers & sellers have worked with a real estate agent?
An Average Timeframe for Buying a House in Lake Charles
April 3, 2023
By Candice
How long does the process of buying a house take? The short and not-very-helpful answer is anywhere from four weeks to six months or more. There are so many variables involved – things such as local market conditions, how picky a buyer is, how strong the buyer’s offer is, and how good the buyer’s agent is – that it’s difficult to predict with much accuracy. But we can arrive at a pretty decent estimate of the average time by breaking down the process into its constituent steps. Read on, then, to find out about the average timeframe for buying a house in Lake Charles.
Overview of the House-Buying Timeframe
Let’s begin with an overview of the process of buying a house in Lake Charles to get a general idea of the average timeframe.
Once you’ve made the definite decision to buy, your first step should be to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This can often be done in one day.
After you have your pre-approval letter in hand, you’ll begin serious house hunting. “[T]he typical buyer tours nine homes over eight weeks before finding their ideal house.”
Then you make an offer. “After you submit an offer and are under contract, it takes an average of 49 days to close and get your keys.”
“With these estimates, you can move into a new home in four months or less.” But it can and often does take much longer, and occasionally it happens more quickly. “These timeframes can vary, as some lenders close quicker, some buyers take longer to choose a home, and some sellers take longer to accept an offer.”
Steps in Buying a House and Time for Each
To arrive at a better understanding of the average timeframe for buying a house in Lake Charles, let’s break the process down into various steps and see how long each one takes on average.
Planning to Buy in the Early Stages
Really, the process of buying a house in Lake Charles or anywhere else begins long before you actually take any concrete action. There is that typically long period at the very beginning where you toss the idea around and begin formulating a buying plan, which, industry pros say, should begin at least six months before you set out on the actual buying process.
Selecting a Lender
Once you’ve made the firm decision that you’re going to buy, you’ll need to select your mortgage lender. This is an important step because the right lender “can help you decide which loan type is right for you. They’ll also help you consider down payment options and strategize to improve your credit score if necessary.”
This step is usually completed in one to a few days. But for first-time buyers who are utterly unfamiliar with the process, it can take much longer.
Getting Pre-approved
The next step toward buying a house in Lake Charles is getting pre-approved for a mortgage, which takes a minimum of one day. With your pre-approval letter in hand, you will be perceived as a serious buyer by sellers, and, as a result, you’ll have much more negotiating leverage.
Finding a Good Agent
Before you begin house hunting in earnest, you should find and engage the services of an experienced local agent. An agent can “help you find homes, communicate with the seller, and negotiate the home sale. An experienced real estate agent knows the neighborhoods and provides insights into the local housing market.”
Finding the right agent for you is a process that typically takes at least a week but usually more. To find out more about this step, you can contact a Lake Charles agent at (337) 305-8040.
Shopping for the New House
This is the stage in buying a house in Lake Charles or anywhere else where things get serious. The average timeframe here is about eight weeks.
“It’s helpful to know what you want ahead of time, refine your home search, and guide your real estate agent. If you’re not sure what your dream home looks like, touring properties can help you set those expectations. Keep a list of your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. This can save you time touring and helps you make your final housing decision.”
Making an Offer
Making an offer is quick and takes only a day or so, but that’s not the end of it because it will also involve the negotiating process. Often, the seller will reject your offer or make a counteroffer, and then you and your agent will make your own counteroffer. And this back and forth may continue for some time. And then there are the contingencies to hammer out and negotiate, which adds even more time.
So the offer stage can drag on for weeks. To expedite things here, be sure to lean on your Lake Charles agent’s expertise. To discover more about this, just call (337) 305-8040 is one of waiting on your part while the loan is processed and underwritten and the title search is conducted. It can take one to several days.
“Loan processors comb through your mortgage application and ensure they have everything needed for full mortgage approval. Next, the application goes to the underwriter for verification. Underwriters look for inconsistencies in your credit report, credit score, and property details. If anything comes up, the underwriter will reach out with questions.”
In addition to the home appraisal and inspection, there will also be a title search. “Title companies perform a title search to determine who owns the property for sale and has the right to sell it. They’ll also look for an easement or right of way that may prevent you from completing projects, like installing a pool. The end goal is to ensure the seller has the right to sell the home, and protect the buyer’s future ownership.” And this can add days to weeks to the timeframe.
Closing
This is the final step in the process and typically takes about three days. “When the closing reports are complete, you’ll receive a closing disclosure to review and finalize your loan. This specifies the loan’s terms and costs with exact figures. It’s a good idea to perform a final walk-through and inspect the home to ensure everything is in good shape for move-in. Finally, you’ll come to closing day. You and the seller will sign the final paperwork, transfer necessary funds, and you’ll get your keys.”
Timeframe Assistance When Buying a House in Lake Charles
So what is the average timeframe for buying a house? Really, there are so many variables involved that it’s hard to predict with much accuracy. But without your professional guidance and assistance, it can easily run into many months. But with an experienced Lake Charles agent in your corner, that time can often be shortened. So when buying a house in Lake Charles is on your agenda, be sure to contact us today at (337) 305-8040.
Recent Posts
Did you know...
Over 88% of buyers & sellers have worked with a real estate agent?
Sell It Like A Saint Realty Group / Who Dat Property Management
Sell It Like A Saint Realty Group / Who Dat Sales And Rentals LLC
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 305-8040
Sell It Like A Saint Realty Group / Who Dat Property Management
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Phone: (337) 305-8040
Sell it Like A Saint Realty Group/Who Dat Property Management is owned and operated by Candice Menard. She
is a broker in the State of Louisiana and a licensed agent/broker in the state of Mississippi. Candice a leading
authority in the real estate market-both sales and rentals in the lake area. She and her team are happy to assist
with your real estate needs.
Sell it Like A Saint Realty Group/Who Dat Sales and Rentals LLC is owned and operated by Candice Menard. She is a broker in the State of Louisiana and a licensed agent/broker in the state of Mississippi. Candice a leading authority in the real estate market-both sales and rentals in the lake area. She and her team are happy to assist
with your real estate needs.
© 2025 Sell It Like A Saint Realty Group