BUYING YOUR HOME
Buying a home is probably the largest financial transaction you will experience during your lifetime. It can yield deep and lasting rewards. However, enjoying a successful real estate transaction requires knowledge and experience. The majority of consumers use a REALTOR® when purchasing a home. Smart home buyers realize they need a REALTOR’S® expertise when negotiating offers and coordinating with other professionals during the buying process.
WHY USE A REALTOR?
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in our not-so-humble opinion. ONLY REALTORS® follow a Code of Ethics. To be a member of the National Association of REALTORS® a real estate agent must abide by a set of professional principles and serve clients fairly.
GETTING STARTED
How do I get started? One of the best ways to reduce anxiety during your home buying process is to become better-acquainted with your options and clearly define your goals. Perhaps the most important first step involves deciding how you will approach your home search. Who will you work with throughout this process—and how will you work with them? It’s simple, decide if you are ready to buy a home and who will represent you during your home buying process.
As your REALTOR®, one of the first things I will do is create a free listing portal for you. The portal is the easiest way to know about new home listings the minute they come on the market. To get your listing portal created, I will need a 5 minute conversation with you to discover what you are looking for in a home. Once I create the portal you will be notified via email the minute a new property that matches your search criteria comes on the market. You have the ability to save property favorites and delete those you absolutely don’t like. When you are ready to view your favorite properties you just contact me so we can schedule your showings. It’s that easy!
FINDING YOUR HOME
ONCE YOU FOUND YOUR HOME
Once you initiate the actual process of finding and buying a home, you’ll benefit from learning more about several other key issues, including:
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Choosing your lender.
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How to negotiate the asking price.
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Understanding the offer to purchase and disclosures.
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Benefits of a Home Inspection.
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Choosing a closing attorney.
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Understanding your closing costs and transaction process.
As your REALTOR®, I can help you with all these details.
FINANCING OR PAYING CASH
Houses are expensive and are probably the largest purchase you’ll ever make. That’s why very few home buyers have enough cash on hand to purchase a home. The majority of home buyers need financing—a mortgage—to cover the difference between what they’ve saved for a down payment and what they need to buy a home.
Most sellers will not look at an offer until the prospective buyer has been pre-qualified for a mortgage so it’s important to get pre-qualified before starting your home search. It’s simple and only takes a five minute conversation with a lender.
A growing number of home buyers are deciding to use one of several new types of specialty mortgages that let them "stretch" their income so they can qualify for a larger loan. Before you decide whether a specialty mortgage is for you, perform your due diligence and ask the opinion of your attorney. As your REALTOR®, I can guide you in making a good decision but in legal matters, it is always best to consult an attorney.
Things to consider:
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Getting Pre-qualified for a mortgage.
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What’s your credit score?
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How do I apply for a mortgage?
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How much will my payments be?
You have found your home, your contract has been negotiated and signed, and the closing date is drawing near. Now, it’s time to prepare for moving day.
Moving. Just the word screams images of bulky boxes and furniture. It takes tremendous effort to move. My advice is to begin planning your move immediately. Don’t wait. Moving, may be the biggest job of all. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, careful preparation is essential. Here, you’ll find useful information on:
Selecting a Moving Company
By investigating moving companies, you can eliminate or at least reduce many of the surprises and hassles that moving often entails.
Moving Tips: Helpful information, including a comprehensive moving checklist and several time-saving online resources. [CLICK HERE]
SETTING UP YOUR MOVE