| Home
Buying Process
1.
Develop a relationship with a good realtor.
Home buyers can maximize their advantage by developing
a relationship with a good realtor who will keep you
informed of new listings and who will negotiate the
best price and terms for you.
2.
See What You Can Afford
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. It is simple to do
and can save you time and money in the negotiating
process.
3.
Make a Wish List
What are your needs, wants and interests
in a home?
-
Neighborhoods
What type of community atmosphere are
you looking for?
-
Home
features
What features are priorities,
and where are you willing to compromise?
Do you prefer a home in perfect
condition or are you looking to save
money on a diamond in the rough?
-
Commute
How far are you willing to
travel? Do you want to be near
public transportation?
-
Lot
settings
Do you prefer a small, easily
maintained lot in town or a larger, more
rural setting?
-
Home
styles
Colonial? Contemporary?
Split level? Ranch? Are
particular styles more appealing to you?
-
Price
Range
Do you want to buy at the top
of your range or leave yourself more of
a cushion.
|
4.
Let's Go House Hunting
This is the fun part! We will start our search
for homes in your price range. If
we're looking in towns new to you, I'll provide lots
of information -- as well as drive you around to
"give you a feel" for the community.
I watch the market closely and I will
contact you about new listings that match what your
looking for. Our goal is to help you find the
home you're looking for and negotiate the best price
for you.
5.
Negotiating your Offer
When you find a home you want, I will negotiate the
best price possible for your purchase. A home seller
can accept your offer, reject the offer, or make a
counteroffer.
If the seller counter-offers, you may agree to that
price, or make your own counter-offer. If your
offer is accepted, your "earnest money" will
be placed in a trust account. It's generally
applied to the purchase price when you complete the
purchase.
6.
Home Inspection
I
recommend the purchase of your home be
contingent on an inspection. A professional
inspector will examine a home basement,
attic, bathrooms, electric/wiring,
insulation, plumbing, gas/fuel, furnace,
heating and cooling systems, built-in
appliances, foundation, construction,
masonry walls, fireplaces and chimneys, and
roof. |
|
7.
The Final Walk Through
Always
do a final walk-through after the sellers have moved,
but before you go to closing. The final
walk-through is not the time to do a home inspection.
It's simply an opportunity to make sure that the home
being conveyed to you is the home you agreed to buy.
Also make sure that that all items the sellers agreed
to leave are indeed there. If the condition of the
home has changed since your offer to purchase, you are
in a better position to get the problems handled when
you bring them to everyone's attention before the deed
changes hands.
8.
Closing
Technically, two separate closings occur at this
time: the closing of your mortgage loan and the
closing of the sale. Here is what happens during
and after the closing:
-
You
will review and sign the HUD-1 settlement sheet
and other loan documents.
-
If
everyone agrees that the papers are in order, you
submit a certified or cashier’s check to cover
the closing costs and the balance of funds due (if
applicable).
-
If
the lender will be paying your property taxes and
homeowner's insurance, a new escrow account is
established.
-
You
receive the keys to your new home.
-
The
closing agent will record the mortgage and deed at
your local government clerk’s office. When the
deed is recorded, you become the official owner of
the home.
|
