Buying or selling a home?
For a lot of people, buying a home can be a stressful event. However, with a little up-front planning, it isn't that complicated.
I like to supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they know exactly what to expect.
Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home.
When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address any questions you have about this information.
Step 1 – Get ready to buy
Prior to starting your home search, there are a lot of things you need to contemplate.
When you start your search, you'll want to form an index of features you need to have, get a feel for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and start planning around your budget.
Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 1/3 of your net monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.
Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent in Greenfield
That's where I come in.
I'd be happy to schedule a time to meet with you and speak with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future.
We'll discuss the mortgage industry, other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Greenfield area.
In addition, I'll help you get started on your loan.
There are some very good mortgage professionals in Greenfield, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands.
They can assist you with choosing which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.
Step 3 – Begin your home search
After we meet, I'll begin looking for homes on the market that suit your needs.
I'll research most of the houses and reject the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.
As we view the houses, I'll identify good features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you to point out what things you like and dislike.
It's common for buyers to amend their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some items become more crucial than others.
If that happens, I'll go back through all the listings another time and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.
Step 4 – Comprehend the market
An agent's understanding of the Greenfield housing market is a leading component in your home search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to some neighborhoods are "hot" and call for prompt action and some that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful analysis.
As we tour homes, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and when I know the house is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be careful and make sure you ask plenty of questions. Any real estate agent in Greenfield will tell you they know the home market.
If it doesn't seem like they know everything, call me at 4147278280 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire deal.
Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm sure we'll find your dream home in Greenfield. When we do, I'll thoroughly develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include several contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.
Upon presenting your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's usually put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals don't close on the beginning offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.
How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions.
In addition, we'll work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll formulate a deal that is best for you.
Step 7 – Secure your loan
Once we sign the final deal, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan.
If you've been pre-qualified, this shouldn't take very long at all. But you should to keep in close contact with your lender.
And I'll sort out all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your application.
This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a strict range of accuracy. I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks adequate.
Then we'll close on your home. This should occur at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and relaxing affair.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply call me at 4147278280 or e-mail me at .