Buying or selling a home in Harmony? RE/MAX Select Properties can help.
Buying a home is an intimidating event for many people, but it isn't very hard with a little up-front planning.
I like to provide buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what they can expect.
These are my nine steps to buying a home.
When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address questions you have regarding this information.
Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are a lot of things you need to take into account before beginning your home search.
When you start your search, you'll want to create an outline of items you need to have, get a plan of what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start working on your budget.
Ensuring your mortgage payment is no more than 1/3 of your monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.
Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Harmony
That's where I can help.
I'd be happy to book a time to get together with you and communicate with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future.
We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that might affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Harmony area.
I can also help you start the loan process.
There are some very good mortgage professionals in Harmony, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands.
They will help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.
Step 3 – Start house hunting
Following our first meeting, I'll start finding houses on the market that are a great fit for you.
I'll get a sneak peek of many of the homes and ignore the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the homes whenever it's convenient for you.
When we view homes, I'll show you the good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you what things you like and dislike.
It's pretty common for buyers to update their must-have list as we tour houses and some things become far more essential than others.
If that's the case, I'll go back through the listings once again and narrow it down to the house you've been dreaming about.
Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Harmony home market is an essential factor in your house search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I will alert you to certain districts are "hot" and demand immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for careful consideration.
When we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and also when I trust the house is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask lots of questions. Any real estate agent in Harmony will convince you they truly know the market.
If it seems like they don't know everything, call me at 5078864221 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step ahead through the entire deal.
Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I'm certain we'll find the home of your dreams in the Harmony area. When that happens, I'll precisely create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including many contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.
When we turn in your offer, you'll likely want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property and is typically applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts don't close on the first offer. It's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to take the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.
How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market circumstances.
We'll also work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll formulate a contract that's best for you.
Step 7 – Secure financing
Upon completing the contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan.
If you've been pre-qualified, it shouldn't take much time at all. But you should to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender.
And I'll sort out all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application.
This estimate is formed from 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 study the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.
Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely take place at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and hassle-free affair.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply call me at 5078864221 or e-mail me at .