Diane Smith, RealtorCheck Your Credit Rating
Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price. It is first recommended to check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that we can determine what you can afford. The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. I will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, and commercial and investment real estate fields.
Be Careful With Your Finances
Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.
Choosing a Real Estate Agent
Buying a property requires making many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues and completing a lot of paperwork. It helps to have an expert in your corner when undertaking such a large purchase. We can guide you through this process, and also provide you with access to property listings before they hit the general market.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing your real estate professional:
Time to go Shopping
Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the your "Dream Home"
Make your List
The next step in home buying is to create a realistic idea of the property you'd like to buy. What features are most important to you? Make two lists: one of the items you can't live without and one of the features you would enjoy. Refine the lists as you house-hunt.
Take a Drive
Get to know the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions, which interest you. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.
Only you know where you want to live....
Narrow Your Search
Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Be sure to keep track of the properties you've seen. Each time you venture out to see more properties, revisit your notes to immediately eliminate any that clearly do not meet your standards. After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn't like. Develop a rating system that will help narrow the home buying field. For example, pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favorite as the standard. Avoid trying to track more than four top choices at any given time since this can quickly become overwhelming.
Time to Buy
Once you find your dream house, it's time to get serious about the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Let your real estate agent guide you through this sensitive home buying process. Because you and the seller have different goals, rely on agent's experience and expertise to bring order and calm to the process - and help both
parties reach a favorable outcome.
Escrow, Inspection and Appraisal
The Initial Agreement and Deposit
An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property's seller. Make sure to keep written records of everything. For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums and to convert them into written agreements to be signed by both parties. You agent should explain to you that when the initial Agreement of Sale is delivered there will be a customary "good faith deposit" required. In addition, within a 15 day time frame another "good faith deposit" will be required. All monies will be held in an escrow account until settlement by the listing broker
Inspections
After your offer is accepted, your agent will set up a home inspection, with an inspector of your choice. You may also choose to also perform a termite, radon, well or septic inspection. It's very common to find problems, including leaky roofs, cracked walls, insect infestations and foundation problems during a home inspection. Your real estate agent will assist you in negotiating to get you the most for your money once the inspector's report is finalized. Any item that is considered a "material defect" can be negotiated however, you will need to take your "deductale" into consideration.
Appraisal and Lending
It is imperative that you keep in close communication with your lender, who will let you know when additional documents are needed to approve your loan application and fund your loan. If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution, via a third party. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate. Appraisers are specialists in determining the value of properties, based on a combination of square footage measurements, building costs, recent sales of comparable properties, operating income, etc. When you are within two weeks of closing, double check with your lender to be sure the loan will go through smoothly and on time. Before your closing date, make sure you've made all necessary deposits and completed the paperwork - including mortgage, homeowner's insurance and any other paperwork required by local or state governments when home buying. Your agent will be there to help you complete that closing checklist and avoid any last-minute snags. You deserve to enjoy every moment of the home buying process.
Moving In
Closing Day
If you have come this far, then this means that it is almost time for a congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:
Final Walk-Through Inspection
More of a formality than anything else, the final inspection takes place the day of the closing. You will visit the property to verify that all is in working order, everything is the same as when you last viewed the property, that there are no extra items left behind, and that everything included in your purchase is still at the property.
Home Services and Utilities
Don't forget to notify the electric company, water and sewer company, gas company, phone company, cable company, internet company and of course notify your local post office of your new address.
Be Prepared
I am ready to assist you should an unforeseen glitch pop up, even at this last stage. Something at the property breaks down, or some other minor detail - no need to worry. We have encountered these problems before so we know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress-free manor.
Closing
The Title Company will furnish all parties involved with a settlement statement, which summarizes and details the financial transactions enacted in the process. You and the seller(s) will sign this statement, as well as the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you are obtaining financing, you will have to sign all pertinent documentation required by the lending institution. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice that we receive. If you are bringing funds to the transaction, you can elect to either have the funds wired electronically into the closing agent’s escrow account, or bring a certified bank check to the closing in the amount specified on the settlement statement. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for you at the closing so that you may receive these items at this time.