 | How many bedrooms and baths
do you need? |
| Which school districts and
neighborhoods do you like? |
| Do you want to be close to
work or shopping? |
| What style of home do you
find most attractive? |
| Do you need a formal living
room or dining room? |
| Do you prefer a large or
small yard? |
| Do you need a garage, large
porch or fenced-in yard? |
| Is there a particular color
scheme you want? |
| Would you like a newer home
or a mature neighborhood? |
| Tell your agent about your
dream home. Be as specific as possible. Let your agent know what
is a "must have" and what is a "would like to have" feature. For
example: You feel you "must have" a four bedroom home and will
not settle for fewer bedrooms, but you would only "like to have"
a pool and would buy a house if it did not have one.
|
| Let your Agent know what
times are most convenient for you to look at property. If there
is more then one person making the decision about what to buy,
it is best if you can both look at homes together.
|
| |
| Your Realtor can show you
any property, even if it is listed for sale by another broker,
is for sale by owner, or is in a new home subdivision.
|
|
|
| If you see a sign or an ad on
a home that is for sale, ask your Sales Associate to give you
the details about it. This will help them know what type of
properties you find attractive and will be less time consuming
for you. Your Sales Associate is a professional who is
representing your interests!
|
| As you view homes, tell your
agent what you like and don't like about each home. This will
help your Sales Associate to understand your needs and narrow
down your search. For example: "I really liked the size of the
kitchen, the decor and the neighborhood, but I would like a
larger lot and a more mature landscaping."
|
Make a List:
As stated above, you should sit down and pinpoint a
few important features that you are looking for in your new Home.
Think about if there is a particular type of house you would like,
or school district, or even size of lot. The more information you
can present to your Realtor about what you are looking for the
more they can narrow down your search. A qualified Agent will
know what is available on the market and can lead you to Homes
that fall into your specifications.
If you prefer
looking at Homes online, sign up for our
Homemail service, A FREE Home Listings Email Notification Service. We'll
email you immediately when a Home that falls into what your
looking for goes on the market.
Ben Stout
can also help you make up your
list, by discussing what you are looking for in a new Home and
what you can realistically expect to find in each price range.
Email Ben with any questions you might have about Real Estate.
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Buying process: menu
Selecting a Home:
Finding the right home is a highly subjective and
emotional process. A good Realtor can help to narrow down your
potential choices and protect your sanity. Be prepared that you
may have to look at several Homes before you find the one you
want, depending on the current market in the area. Also you may
have to make quick decisions once you find it, again depending on
the market.
Remember that
although the Realtor is working with you to find your new Home you
are not paying them anything! Be respectful of the time and
effort they are putting into your search.
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Buying process: menu
Making an Offer:
This can be a difficult
decision. Should you offer the seller's asking price of a lower
one? Several factors should be taken into account:
Your Realtor can
provide these answers to you help you decide on the right offer.
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Buying process: menu
Drawing up the
Contract:
Here is where the sales price, terms of the sale, contingencies
and closing costs are put down on paper and presented to the
seller and their agent. Generally a deposit is required, usually
a percentage of the purchase price to be held in escrow until the
closing when the Deed passes from the seller to you.
Your Realtor will
complete all the paperwork so that all of the State and local
Housing laws are obeyed.
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Buying process: menu
Choosing
Financing:
The most common mortgages today are the 30 year fixed-rate and the
1 year adjustable-rate. Check with several lending institutions
to determine which one is offering the most competitive rate, and
just as important today, the most competitive loan costs.
Loan Applications:
Lenders are very busy today due to lower interest rates and our
economy's strength, so getting a loan approved may take up to 60
days. Make sure there are no skeletons in your debt closet. Such
problems can at best delay the loan process even more. Provide
the lender with all the information needed as soon as possible.
Missing information also slows down the process.
Your Realtor can
help you to decide on the right lender and make sure you get your
information in on time. Email
Ben Stout if you have questions about getting financing for
your new Home.
Back to
Buying process: menu
Closing the
Sale:
Before closing on your new Home, make a walk-thru inspection with
your Agent to make sure everything is in the same condition as it
was when you make the initial agreement. Go over your closing
statement with your Realtor before settlement. Make sure you
understand everything. Before closing is the time to solve any
problems or concerns you may have. After closing it is too late.
At closing everything is settled and the deal is done. Now its
time to enjoy your new Home!
Contact me TODAY to start the
process of buying your dream home today
