Buying or selling a home? RE/MAX Select Properties can help.
For many people, purchasing a home can be an intimidating event. However, with some up-front planning, it isn't very difficult.
I like to provide buyers with a road map of the entire deal so they'll know exactly what they can expect.
Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home.
When you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.
Step 1 – Get ready to buy
There are a lot of things you'll want to consider prior to starting your home search.
When you begin your search, you'll want to create a checklist of features you want, get a feeling 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 a third of your net monthly income is a good guideline to follow.
Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Harmony
This is where RE/MAX Select Properties can help.
I'd be more than happy to set up a time to meet with you and speak with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans.
We'll discuss neighborhoods, schools in the Harmony area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could affect your purchase today or in the future.
I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan.
RE/MAX Select Properties works with some of the finest mortgage professionals in Harmony, so you'll be in great hands.
They can help you choose which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.
Step 3 – Start looking for a home
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin finding available houses on the market that are a good fit for you.
I'll research many of the homes and ignore the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.
As we view houses, I'll call attention to positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll even ask you to point out what things you like and dislike.
Usually, buyers amend their must-have list as we tour houses and some things become more crucial than others.
If that's the situation, I'll go back through all the listings another time and trim it down to the house of your dreams.
Step 4 – Know the housing market
My understanding of the Harmony home market is an imperative aspect in your house search. I am familiar with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll let you know some districts are "hot" and require immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful analysis.
As we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you when the list price has room for negotiation and when I know the home is "priced to sell."
Be on guard and be sure to ask your agent a lot of questions, as every REALTOR will tell you they comprehend the home market.
If it appears they don't know everything, just call me at 5078864221 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.
Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
We'll find your dream home in the Harmony area, and when that happens, I'll thoroughly create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clear title.
When we present your offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property, and it's often applied to the closing costs. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts aren't closed on the first offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll figure out whether or not to accept the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse 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 limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a contract that's best for you.
Step 7 – Get financing
Upon finishing the deal, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan.
If you've been pre-qualified, this won't take much time at all, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your lender.
And I'll manage all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application.
The estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if everything looks good.
Then we'll close on your house. This will probably happen at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and calm event.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply call me at 5078864221 or e-mail me at .