Buying or selling a home?

For a lot of people, purchasing a home can be an intimidating event. However, with a bit of planning ahead of time, it's not very complex. I like to furnish buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to answer any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are several things you'll want to consider prior to commencing your home search. When you begin your search, you'll want to create an outline of features you need to have, get a plan of what neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good rule to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be no more than 1/3 of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
That's where I come in. We'll plan a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Topton area.

I'll also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Topton, and I partner with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you in determining which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After our first meeting, I'll start searching for available houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll research many of the houses and remove the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll identify positive features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to tell us about things you like and don't like. It's common for buyers to change their must-have list as we view homes and some items become far more essential than others. If that happens, I'll search the listings another time and narrow it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
Your agent's awareness of the Topton housing market is an essential element in your house search. And I assure you I'm mindful of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can communicate certain areas are "hot" and require immediate action and others that are "cool" and allow for careful examination.

When we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you when the seller's asking price has room for bargaining and also when I know the home is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and make sure you ask lots of questions, as any real estate agent in Topton will claim to understand the market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, just call me at 8283213101 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
I'm certain we'll find the home of your dreams in the Topton area. When that happens, I'll precisely create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including a lot of contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

Upon sending in your purchase offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is usually put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of deals don't close on the initial offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll talk over whether or not to accept the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

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

Step 7 – Obtain your loan
After we sign the final deal, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, it won't take very long at all, but you'll want to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of 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 closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a close range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then we'll close on your house. This should take place at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and pleasant occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just call me at 8283213101 or e-mail me at .