WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU VISUALIZE YOUR DREAM HOME?

I ask you this, as it's important that we see the same dream. I realize that the very best way to assist my real estate buyers to locate precisely the right home is to put myself into my buyer clients' shoes.

DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS

How long do you intend to live in your new home? Will you be starting or adding to your family? Do you have any special requirements such as proximity to stores, public transportation, recreation facilities, etc.? These are the sort of things you should consider when deciding what kind of housing you will need – not just now, but also five years from now. Remember, if you intend on moving again relatively soon, you should get a shorter term when choosing your mortgage.

PREPARATION

Evaluate your budget, know what you want to spend for down payment and closing costs as well as monthly expenses (insurance, maintenance, real estate taxes, monthly mortgage payment, utilities etc.). If you're financing you must first seek pre-approval for a mortgage. Identify your timeline for moving and start exploring the different neighborhoods to identify your preferred needs such as location, schools, space, features, amenities, restrictions etc.

FOUND YOUR DREAM HOME?

When you found your dream home you make an offer on the property and negotiation terms which your agent will present to the seller / seller's agent. Typical time frame for negotiation is one day to one week. This is when you, your agent, seller and seller agent will determine price, terms and certain contingencies such as inspection, financing, appraisal etc. Everything is negotiable, your agent will negotiate in you best interest.

SELLER AGREES?

Great! Once the contract has been executed you make a deposit to an Escrow account depending on the agreed upon terms in the contract. The deposit can range anywhere from $500 to 20% down. All Escrow deposit funds are held by either your real estate company, the title company, an Escrow company or an attorney and those funds are applied toward the closing on the designated closing date.

ALWAYS GET AN INSPECTION

Any purchase offer you make should be contingent upon your approval of a qualified home inspector’s report, even when buying a new or almost new home. Even if your lender does not require it, you may want to consider conducting a full land survey – property line disputes could potentially cost you thousands down the road, and are typically not covered by title insurance.

I’m here to serve my buyers and create more than satisfied buyer clients. Start your search today right here, save your searches, save your favorite properties, receive email alerts. Or email me your search criteria. I will set up your individual MLS search and you will be automatically notified if new properties hit the market and any price changes on your favorite properties.

I don’t want to minimize the technical aspects of the home buying process though. Every year it becomes more complex. Between government legislation, environmental laws, mortgage documentation requirements and the legal aspects of a home purchase, the home buyer must be on top of all aspects of the process, or be helped by a professional. There’s plenty to do. And I am there to help.

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