Buying a new home in Topton?

With a little up-front planning, purchasing a home isn't all that confusing, but the event is stressful for many people. I like to give buyers a road map of the whole deal so they know exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have any questions about this information or if you're prepared to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
Before you begin looking for a home, there are several things you should take into account. You'll want to make a check list of must-haves, plan for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. A good guideline to follow is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around 30 percent of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Topton
This is where I can help. I'd like to arrange a time to meet with you and talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Topton area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I'll also help you begin the loan process. I work with some of Topton's best mortgage professionals, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you in figuring out which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that best suit you. I'll preview many of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll show you the positive features and negative ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to update their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some items become more important than others. If that happens, I'll go back through the listings once again and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
An agent's understanding of the Topton home market is a fundamental factor in your house search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to some districts are "hot" and warrant prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll let you know when the list price has room for negotiation and when I trust the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be on guard and make sure you ask plenty of questions. Any real estate agent in Topton will tell you they truly know the market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at 8283213101 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream home
I know we'll find your dream house in the Topton area. When we do, I'll thoroughly develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the home inspection, and a clear title.

Upon sending in your offer, you'll probably want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts aren't closed on the beginning offer. It's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing budget. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Upon signing the contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-qualified, this won't be a long process at all, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll look after 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 mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks good.

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

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, be sure to contact me at 8283213101 or e-mail me at .