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These tips and invaluable information
about the process of buying a home will help you to understand everything
that is going on. If you have further questions about the buying
process, please contact Connie
Killingbeck.
Make A List
Before you start looking for a home, sit down and make a
list of the features you're looking for in a home:
- 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?
Once you've come up with the list for your dream house, you should:
Ask A Professional Real Estate
Associate To Help You Find A Home
- 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."
Call Connie Killingbeck to help start
you on the process of finding your dream home!
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. Connie
Killingbeck
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 Connie with any questions you might have
about Real Estate.
Back to 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.
Back to 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:
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How competitive is the area's home buying
market?
-
How long has the house been on the market?
-
Are there any
competing offers on the Home?
-
Is the asking price reasonable?
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Is there an
assumable mortgage or owner financing?
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
Connie Killingbeck 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 Connie
Killingbeck to start the process of buying your dream home today!
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