Buyer's Guide

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, that's fine, let's talk.

In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. Start with your financial advisor, see what you can afford. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. Planning for a new home purchase includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home.

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when making an offer, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified.

Working with a Real Estate Advisor provides clear and distinct advantages over shopping on your own. An Advisor will identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, manage the transaction, provide expert advice, and negotiate the best deal possible. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and strategic knowledge come into play. Let me show you what I've got.

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. We will discuss the distinct advantages of different properties, what you might not have seen, explore neighborhoods, schools and amenities. We will find your dream home so when you walk through the door, you will say "This is it!"

Do you believe the price you pay for a home is the price listed or that the price you pay depends on the negotiating skill of your real estate professional?

Once you have selected the perfect home, work to craft a fair offer based on the list price and on the value of other, comparable homes on the market. I will provide counsel on home valuation, where to make the offer, and I will professionally word and furnish an offer which is crystal clear to the seller. I will negotiate if you receive a counteroffer, and work diligently to reach an agreement that meets your highest expectations. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer.

It is my experience that inspection is almost always part of negotiations. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw your offer.

Now is the time to meet with the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the proud owner of a new home.