Buying or selling a home?

Buying a home is stressful for many people, but it isn't that confusing with a bit of planning ahead of time. So they understand exactly what to expect, I will furnish buyers with an overview of the entire deal. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
There are several things you should contemplate before you search for a home. When you start your search, you'll probably want to form an index of features you want to have, get a feel for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. A good rule to go by is that your mortgage payment should be close to a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent in Greenfield
That's where I can help. We can arrange a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Greenfield area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also assist you with getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Greenfield, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll help you choose which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a house
Following our initial meeting, I'll start finding houses on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll preview most of the homes and ignore the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the homes when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll call attention to good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and don't like. Frequently, buyers change their wish list as we view houses and some items become more important than others. If such is the case, I'll look through all the listings one more time and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My understanding of the Greenfield home market is a crucial component in your home search. I'm informed of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can let you know which neighborhoods are "hot" and demand prompt action and some that are "cold" and allow for careful consideration.

When we tour homes, I'll let you know if the list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as any REALTOR will claim to truly understand the market. If things don't add up, contact me at 4147278280 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been looking for
I know we'll find the house of your dreams in the Greenfield area. When we do, I'll carefully create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we turn in your purchase offer, you'll likely need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's typically applied to the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the initial offer. It's very common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk over whether or not to agree to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll formulate a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
Upon completing the deal, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It won't take much time at all if you're pre-approved, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will furnish you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs within three days of receiving your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your application. The estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a close range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then it's time to close on your home. This should occur at a title company or escrow office and will probably be a smooth and relaxed occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, be sure to contact me at 4147278280 or e-mail me at .