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<h2>The seller</h2>

If you’re working with a real estate agent, you may not need to interact with the property’s seller, but there are some instances in which you may end up communicating with them directly. These instances can range from [negotiating a price](https://better.com/content/7-must-ask-questions-before-you-make-an-offer/) to asking about the property’s condition, getting a feel for the neighborhood, and so on. Remember to request a seller’s disclosure, which is a legally obligated document that lists any problems that the seller is aware of with the property. 

<h2>Loan consultant</h2>

Unless you can afford to buy your home with cash, you will likely need to borrow money from a mortgage lender. Throughout this process, your primary point of contact will be your loan consultant. These individuals go by a few other names, such as loan officer and mortgage expert, but the role is essentially the same. 

Loan consultants will do a lot of things for you: They’ll help you determine how much home you can afford, inform you what documentation is necessary for a loan approval, walk you through [your mortgage options](https://better.com/content/first-time-homebuyers-guide-understanding-your-mortgage-options/), and answer any questions you have about the financial aspects of purchasing your new home. To perform their job, loan consultants must have a mortgage loan originator license. 

<h2>Processing expert</h2>

Your processing expert’s job is to review all the documentation you submit in your mortgage application. Then, if there are any discrepancies, they’ll work with you to make sure you have everything in order before your application reaches the underwriting stage. 

Processing experts work hand in hand with the underwriter, whose role it is to determine the financial risk you present as a borrower and whether you’re approved for a loan or not. Unlike your processing expert, with whom you’ll be in frequent contact, it’s unlikely you’ll ever communicate with your underwriter directly.

Processing experts at Better Mortgage are also responsible for organizing your home appraisal and title search.

<h2>Home inspector </h2>

Once you [make an offer](https://better.com/content/how-to-make-an-offer-on-a-home) and sign a purchase contract, you'll want to have a home inspector thoroughly examine the property for any damage. That way you can have confidence in what you’re paying for the home—and you can negotiate any necessary repairs with the seller before you move to the closing stage of the real estate transaction. A good home inspector will look for issues in the foundation, walls, roof, electrical circuits, HVAC, plumbing system, and other components that may require expensive repairs.  

Most states require home inspectors to be licensed (some states, like California, Colorado, and Wyoming, do not), but all inspectors must undergo professional training. 

<h2>Home appraiser</h2>

Appraisals are a required part of the mortgage approval process to determine the true market value of the home. Unlike a home inspector, an appraiser will assess the property on the lender’s behalf—not yours—to ensure that the lender doesn't lend out more money than the home is worth.

Every state requires home appraisers to be licensed or certified, and they will base their decision on the home’s structural integrity, the surrounding area, the prices of nearby homes, and the results of the home inspection. Your appraiser will not evaluate the property if the inspector decides there is too much damage. 

<h2>Closing agent</h2>

A closing agent (also referred to as an escrow officer or settlement agent) is an important person at the end of the mortgage process. Their role is to review your contract and ensure each party has fulfilled their promises. They will also provide third parties (such as real estate agents) with escrow instructions and ensure all money goes where it needs to go. Closing agents are responsible for legally transferring ownership of the property. Once everything is in order, the property is officially yours. 

<h2>Rounding out your homebuying team</h2>

We’ve covered the 7 individuals that are likely to play the biggest role in your homebuying journey, but this is by no means a definitive list. Depending on your circumstances—and where you live—you may work with an insurance agent, a title abstractor, and an attorney, among others. We can help assemble your all-star [homebuying team](https://better.com/content/how-to-assemble-your-home-buying-team)—from real estate agent to loan consultant, and beyond. It all starts with pre-approval, which takes as little as 3 minutes and doesn’t require a hard credit check.

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Many people are involved in the process of buying a home. You can expect to talk to everyone from a real estate agent to a loan consultant, and more. 

7 People You Need When Buying a Home

Blog post image for 7 people you need when buying a home

7 people you need when buying a home


![Mother and Toddler Sitting on Low Table Playing With a Toy Rainbow](https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fea37b90b89334a2ab1714e2159c75418%2Fa73e5711025c4fc880656d7c0111888e)

Buying a home marks a new beginning for you and your family — especially if your children will be attending new schools as a result of the move. 

The [National Association of Realtors](https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2019-moving-with-kids-08-12-2019.pdf) found that 53% of home buyers with children under 18 consider neighborhoods based on the quality of the school districts, and 50% choose their new home based on proximity to schools. 

If purchasing a home in a quality school district takes priority over other buying criteria, you may want to know how this will impact your home search, the [homebuying process](https://better.com/content/home-buying-process-timeline/), and your home’s future value. 

<h2>How to search for a home in a good school district</h2>

Your first step is to narrow your search by school district ranking. 

To start, sites like [GreatSchools.org](https://www.greatschools.org/) have compiled ratings of elementary, middle, and high schools in thousands of school districts by zip codes and cities across the U.S. Its [rating system](https://www.greatschools.org/gk/ratings/) incorporates common metrics for what defines higher- versus lesser-ranking schools like  college enrollment rates, academic rigor, and support for low-income and special needs students. 

You may also wish to broaden your criteria with [other metrics](http://realestate.boston.com/buying/2018/03/01/looking-to-buy-in-good-school-district/) such as class and district size, recess time, and even the quality of the local pre-kindergarten schools in your desired areas. And of course, nothing beats an onsite visit for a real gut-check to determine what’s best for your child.

It’s important to note that schools mere miles apart can have substantially different performance results. In Cleveland, Ohio, for instance, [Cuyahoga Heights High School](https://www.greatschools.org/ohio/cleveland/2197-Cuyahoga-Hts-High-School/) has average SAT scores of 1579. Meanwhile, the [Whitney Young School](https://www.greatschools.org/ohio/cleveland/480-Whitney-Young-School/), less than two miles away, has SATs reported to average 1410. 

<h2>Homes in good school districts are usually bigger and more expensive </h2>

Homes in areas of highly-rated public school districts are, on average, [49% more expensive](https://www.realtor.com/research/housing-insights-in-top-rated-school-districts/) — at around $400,000 — than the national median list price of $269,000. 

They are also 77% more costly than homes located within the boundaries of lower-ranked districts, which cost a median of $225,000. 

A [Brookings Institution](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/0419_school_inequality_rothwell.pdf) study found that homes in highly-rated school districts also tended to be larger and more expensive as a result. For example, typical homes in high-scoring districts had 1.5 more rooms than homes in low-scoring ones. 

Because these larger homes and higher costs can price many families out of a good school zone, [some municipalities](https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f4880936-8db9-4b77-a632-86e1728f33f0/jec-report-zoned-out.pdf) have turned to student selection based on open enrollment or a lottery system, rather than assignments by location. This process is intended to give children of lower-income families the opportunity to attend higher-rated schools in other areas and flatten the relationship between home value and school quality. 

Such changes aren’t made lightly, however, as school boards must weigh whether their attempts to balance socioeconomics [could backfire](https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/207/Best_Practices_in_District_Rezoning_-_Portland_Public_Schools.pdf), with families opting for charter or private schools, or even resulting in more segregation, the exact opposites of the desired effect.

If buying a home in a good school district is your priority, then be sure to check that the homes in your desired areas and neighborhoods are routed to your desired school assignments. 

Enrollment and residential and commercial zoning policies and school board decisions can have a significant impact on your home price and your school district, so it’s important to stay abreast of regulations and changes that can impact both.
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![schooldistricts2](https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fea37b90b89334a2ab1714e2159c75418%2F3306fe424c224f54aec8df3a310af799)

<h2>Home property taxes may not be higher in a good school district</h2>

It may come as a surprise that property taxes aren’t always higher in districts with highly-ranked schools. 

Property owners in the majority of the U.S. pay some type of property tax, but how much varies widely from state to state and even county to county. Taxes are the main source of local government funding but how they are allocated (whether for services or school districts) depends entirely on city and state leadership.

In metropolitan areas, large businesses and highly-valued properties share the burden of educating children across a large tax base. 

In contrast, more rural or outlying suburban areas with fewer corporate taxpayers may have higher rates to cover school costs. 

A [Syracuse University study](https://www.syracuse.com/schools/2019/04/how-does-your-school-property-tax-rate-compare-to-other-districts-in-new-york-state.html) found that in Central New York, the highly-rated, wealthier [Skaneateles school district](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/skaneateles-central-school-district-ny/) has a property tax rate of 1.5% or around $15 of tax per $1,000 of property value. 

On the other hand, the lower-rated, less affluent [Fulton City school](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/fulton-city-school-district-ny/) district has a property tax rate of 2.7% or around $27 of tax per $1,000 of property value.  

For example, a home valued at $200,000 would have property taxes of:
Skaneateles: $200,000 x 0.015 (1.5%) = $3,000
Fulton City: $200,000 x 0.027 (2.7%) = $5,400

Note - lenders incorporate [real estate taxes](https://better.com/content/how-to-choose-the-right-neighborhood-when-buying-a-house/) when determining [how much](https://better.com/content/a-better-home-affordability-calculator/) you can borrow. So, explore local tax rates during your home search to see how they can affect your total affordability.       

<h2>The benefits of buying a home in a good school district</h2>

<strong>Good school districts may help you sell your home faster 
</strong>

Houses in good school districts are usually in strong demand and may be easier to sell. 

[Realtor.com](https://www.realtor.com/research/housing-insights-in-top-rated-school-districts/) found that homes in above-average school districts sell in an average of just 58 days. This is eight days faster than those in below-average districts, and four days faster than the national median of 62 days on the market. 

<strong>Buying a home in a good school district may be cheaper than sending kids to private school</strong>

Purchasing a home near good schools can be expensive — but it may still be cheaper than sending your children to private schools. [The Private School Review](https://www.privateschoolreview.com/tuition-stats/private-school-cost-by-state) reports that the average annual private school tuition and fees in 2020 were $11,021 — with private elementary costing an average of $9,946 and private high school $14,711. Costs can be dramatically higher, too, for top-rated institutions and boarding schools. 

Depending on how many children you have and how many years remain before high school graduation, high-quality public schools can be a bargain, even if your home costs more than similar ones in lower-rated districts. 
<br>

![schooldistricts3](https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fea37b90b89334a2ab1714e2159c75418%2F68a0bfa03bb548e4abc3ee527e2d62e8)

<h2>How to get a good deal on a home in a quality school district</h2> 

<strong>Consider areas further from city centers </strong>

In 2017, [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/30/upshot/good-schools-affordable-homes-suburban-sweet-spots.html) compared school results with home costs and found significant disparities in districts closer to city centers versus ones further out. 

For example, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the average resident’s commute is just 25 minutes, homes cost approximately $574 per square foot. Students in this school district were found to be one grade level above their peers. 

But in Sharon, Massachusetts, where the average commute is 38 minutes, homes cost just $235 per square foot. And in this school district, students were found to be 2.9 grade levels above average. 

The Times’ database also found similar differences in schools around New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, with many of the most affordable high-quality districts located in suburbs further out from the city center. 

Parents who shop around, especially in outlying areas, may be able to find housing in good quality school districts at a reasonable price while maintaining a short commute. 

<strong>Deals in good school districts can exist in off-seasons</strong>

It’s not only where you buy that can make a big difference, but also when you’re looking. If you hope to purchase a home in a good school district, you might have more luck if you’re willing to move during the school year.

Home buyers typically pay the highest premiums in July, August, and September, and obtain the [steepest discounts from November through February](https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/how-to-get-a-better-deal-on-a-home-after-school-starts/).

<h2>Preparing to buy your dream home</h2>

Tools like GreatSchools.org, [Niche rankings](https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/), and [SchoolDigger.com](https://www.schooldigger.com/) can help you make decisions that balance your needs for educational quality and affordability. 

If you’re ready to start your home shopping journey, [Schedule a call](https://better.com/) to get matched with a [top real estate agent](https://better.com/with/find-an-agent) in your area.

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Better Mortgage can help determine [how much house you can afford](https://better.com/content/so-youre-wondering-how-much-house-can-you-actually-afford/) and provide you with a [pre-approval](https://better.com/content/what-is-a-mortgage-pre-approval/) letter to kick off your home buying journey! 

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More than half of homebuyers with children in school shop by school district. Here's what to know about the impact that can have.

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