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| BUYER PROCESS |
| Working with Real Estate Agent |
The quickest and easiest way to find a home is to work with an agent. Nearly 90% of all homes offered for sale at any given time are listed with agents. A real estate agent, like us, is the person who is best prepared to help you with your home finding needs. Further, the agent will be of help through the real estate transaction. |
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| We can… |
1. We can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity.
2. We have many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
3. We can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents have access to a variety of informational resources. We can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4. We can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. We can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. We provide due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the property, this could include inspections for termites, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. We can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Kimberly and Daryl in conjunction with the title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
6. We can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
7. We can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly. |
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Buying a home can be one of your most significant investments in life. Not only are you choosing the place that you will live, you are most likely investing a large portion of your assets into this venture.
The more prepared you are at the outset, the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process will be. The goal of this page is to provide you with detailed information to assist you in making an intelligent and informed decision.
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| PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION |
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| We should meet face-to-face to review your overall objectives in searching for a new home (i.e. time frame, desired features, etc.) and discuss the process. We will narrow down neighborhoods and types of properties so we have an efficient search. This is the time to ask ANY questions and determine if we have a good personality fit to work together. |
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| OBTAIN A LOAN PRE-APPROVAL |
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| You must have a lender Approval letter to write a contract. Therefore, it makes sense to start this process BEFORE looking at properties. We can recommend a few reputable lenders or you can select your own. But it is important that you discuss financing options and have a lender review your salary and credit to determine a comfortable loan amount. Based on this information, the lender will provide a pre-approval letter, which shows your borrowing power. You can visit as many lenders as you like and get several pre-approvals. Fortunately, the rules have changed so that you can shop lenders and have them pull multiple credit reports within a 30 day period, without the inquiries affecting your credit score. |
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| ESTABLISH YOUR HOME SEARCH CRITERIA |
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| A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. It is important to consider things that are important to you (i.e. a love of cooking, or entertaining or art, etc.) which will help prioritize your house “wish list” (i.e. big kitchen for cooking, deck for entertaining, high ceilings for artwork, etc.). There will definitely be trade-offs – but our goal is to find a home that meets the majority of your requirements within a comfortable price range.
HOW DO YOU STAY UPDATED?
Once we establish the criteria for your search, an online account will be set up to keep you informed on your current properties and new listings. You will be emailed with updates on properties fitting your criteria. You will have the ability to look at pictures, property details, and other important information. |
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| Look at Homes |
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| Once we have completed a search and narrowed down the options, we will schedule a block of time to tour homes. Prior to our visit, we will ask you to review the virtual tours and drive around the neighborhoods, to determine if some of the properties can be ruled out or solidify them on our “Must see” list. Many properties will be on “lockbox” so we have flexibility visiting them—others may require an appointment, which we will arrange.
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| CHOOSE A HOME |
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| As a buyer, here's what actually happens. A home has been placed on the market for which the seller has established an asking price as well as other terms. In effect, this is an offer. At this point, you have three choices: accept the seller's offer and create a contract; reject it and not make an offer; or suggest different terms and make a counter-offer. If you choose this last option, the seller may accept, reject or make a counter-offer.
No aspect of the home buying process is more complex or personal than bargaining between buyers and sellers. This is the point where the value our experience is clearly evident because he or she knows the community, has seen numerous homes for sale, knows local values and has spent time negotiating realty transactions. |
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| MAKE AN OFFER |
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1. To create an offer we prepare and present the following information in writing to the seller
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a. Offer Price
b. Settlement Date
c. Earnest Money Deposit (typically 3-5% of the sales price)
d. Inspection Contingencies
e. Financing Contingencies
f. Title Company |
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| 2. Negotiate any terms and conditions |
3. Signature of all parties on offer revisions
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| GET AN ACCEPTED OFFER |
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INSPECTION - CONDUCTED WITHIN 3-7 DAYS |
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Buyer and agent present |
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Buyer pays inspection company directly |
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RESPONSE TO INSPECTION - WITHIN 24 HOURS OF INSPECTION REPORT |
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Provide notice of any issues needed to be addressed |
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Insure your comfort level with property |
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OBTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION |
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Condominium documents & budgets |
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Three days to review for resale properties |
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15 days to review for new developments |
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MORTGAGE APPLICATION |
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Within a few days of accepted offer you should contact your mortgage lender and begin the full application process |
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OBTAIN HOME INSURANCE |
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ARRANGE TO CONNECT UTILITIES (PHONE, GAS, ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE & CABLE) |
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OBTAIN HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE |
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REVIEW HUD-1 PRIOR TO CLOSING |
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CONDUCT A WALK THROUGH OF THE PROPERTY |
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MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME! |
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| Listing Process |
| Under Construction |
| Moving Checklist |
| SUGGESTED CHANGE OF ADDRESS CHECKLIST |
| Accountant |
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Insurance - Auto |
| Automobile Association |
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Insurance - House |
| Banks |
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Insurance - Life |
| Barber/Hair Dresser |
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Internet Service Provider |
| Book Club |
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Investments |
| Bottled Water Delivery Service |
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Landlord, if your are a tenant |
| Business Associates |
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Laundry Service |
| Cable/Satellite TV Service Provider |
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Lawn Maintenance Service |
| Cellular Phone Service Provider |
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Lawyer |
| Charity/Non-profit Organizations |
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Library |
| Church |
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Magazine Subscriptions |
| College |
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Mail Order Accounts |
| Credit Card Companies |
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Movie Rental Clubs |
| Daycare |
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Newspapers |
| Dentist |
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Pet Groomer |
| Department Store Charge Accounts |
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Pharmacist |
| Diaper Service |
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Pool Maintenance Service |
| Doctor |
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Post Office |
| Driver’s License |
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Professional Associations |
| Dry Cleaner |
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Schools |
| Electricity Company |
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Snow Removal Service |
| Employer |
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Social Security Administration |
| Finance Companies (car loan) |
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Sports Clubs |
| Frequent Flyer Clubs |
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Stockbroker |
| Friends and Relatives |
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Tax Assessors |
| Garbage Collection Service |
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Telephone Company |
| Gas Company |
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Vehicle Registration |
| Golf Club |
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Veterinarian |
| Government (Tax Records, Etc.) |
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Video / DVD Club |
| Grocery Deliver Service |
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Volunteer Associations |
| Hair Stylist |
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Voter Registration |
| Health and Fitness Club |
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Water Company |
| Health and Hospital Insurance |
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| House Cleaning Service |
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| Arrival Kit Checklist |
| Here are some suggestions for what you may need immediately upon arriving at your new home. The box should be marked, “LOAD LAST, UNLOAD FIRST.” |
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| MOVING TIPS CHECKLIST |
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| And Do Not Forget to: |
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Empty Freezer: plan use of foods |
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Defrost freezer/refrigerator: Place charcoal to dispel odors |
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Have appliances serviced for moving (if applicable) |
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Plan for special care needs of infants, children, pets, etc. |
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Call Cable company and/or leave remote antenna equipment |
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Clean rugs or clothing before moving
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| And on Moving Day: |
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Carry all currency, jewelry and documents yourself (or use registered mail) |
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Plan for transporting pets; they are poor traveling companions if unhappy |
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Carry traveler’s checks for quick, available funds |
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Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty |
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Leave your old keys (needed by the tenant or owner) with the appropriate person |
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Get the name of the driver and give him your contact information. Also review directions to the new. |
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Have the final payment for the movers and money for a tip (if satisfied with the job, about $25/mover is recommended.) |
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| Typical Buyer Costs |
| Common Closing Costs for Buyers |
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The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier’s check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: |
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| What to Keep From Your Closing |
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The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement. This form, usually called a HUD 1 statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You’ll need it for income tax purposes and when you sell the home. The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortgage loan. The mortgage and the note (two pieces of paper) spell out the legal terms of your mortgage obligation and the agreed-upon repayment terms. The deed transfers ownership of the property to you. Affidavits swearing to various statements by either party. For example, the sellers will often sign an affidavit stating that they have not incurred any liens on the property. Riders are amendments to the sales contract that affect your rights. For example, if you buy a condominium, you may have a rider outline the condo association’s rules and restrictions. Insurance policies provide a record and proof of your coverage.
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