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 too complicated. So they understand exactly what to expect, I'll furnish buyers with an outline of the entire deal. Here 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 happy to answer questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
There are plenty of things you should take into account before commencing your home search. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to make an index of must-have features, get a feeling for what school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or around 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good rule of thumb to adhere to.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Harmony
That's where I can help. I'd be happy to set up a time to meet with you and communicate with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, 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'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. I work with some of Harmony's best mortgage professionals, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin searching for available houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and remove the bad ones, and then we'll book appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.

As we view the homes, I'll show you the good features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to tell us about things you like and don't like. Most often, buyers update their must-have list as we view houses and some features become more substantial than others. If that's the case, I'll look through all the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Understand the housing market
Your agent's awareness of the Harmony home market is a crucial factor in your home search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can let you know certain districts are "hot" and require prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for careful examination.

When we view houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent in Harmony will claim to understand the home market, but be careful, and make sure you ask your agent plenty of questions. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, just call me at 5078864221 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find your dream house
I'm certain we'll find your dream home in Harmony. When we do, I'll precisely develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include some contingencies, such as getting financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is most often applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most contracts aren't closed on the beginning offer. It's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll figure out whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions will play a part in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing budget. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
After we sign the final contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. This won't take very long at all if you're already pre-approved, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll care for 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 receiving your application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and relaxed occasion.

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 5078864221 or e-mail me at .