Buying

With all the information about homes listed for sale on the internet, why do you need a buyer’s agent? The internet is good at providing raw data, but you need a professional who can analyze the information and apply it to your situation. As your professional buyer’s agent, I track the local housing market and provide you with personalized recommendations and advice. The knowledge I bring to the search and negotiation process can save you money, time and frustration. My goal is to assist you in finding the home that best fits your needs. Call me today to start your housing search. To check out some of the homes I’ve sold and a map of my service areas, click here. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned expert, purchasing a home can be a complex process. For this very reason, I am here to assist you every step of the way. Throughout each important stage, I will help you navigate the ever-changing housing market and lead you to your dream home. Not sure what you’re looking for? My detailed understanding of market trends, local neighborhoods, and financial tidbits allows me to give sound, proven advice to match you with your ideal house. The Buying Process To begin with, I believe that the more informed you are, the better your experience will be. I have the resources to guide you through the home finding process, providing you with everything from detailed property searches to neighborhood information. Below, I have included a general step-by-step list to help explain the home buying process. Some of these stages may seem confusing, but, remember, I am here to answer any questions! 1. Determine your needs and budget Before the search begins, its a good idea to define what type of house, neighborhood, and location best suits your needs and lifestyle. Have fun with this! Have you always wanted a wood fireplace? Is a large yard important to you? I recommend imagining your dream home, while also taking into account your financial considerations. Once you share these details with me, I can offer feedback and advice to help develop a plan and goal moving forward. You may want to prioritize what specifications you are looking for in a new home to offer some flexibility when scouting for properties. 2. Get pre-approved for a loan First, meet with a loan officer, such as Chris Knox. Sharing income and financial information will give you a price range for which you are qualified.

• Get Pre-qualified
• Obtain a preapproval letter
• Obtain a “Truth in Lending” letter explaining the estimated costs of your loan.
• Learn about the many loans options available to you.
• Learn about closing costs.

3. Find your home! With your specifications in mind, I will use my resources to scout the marketplace on your behalf. When I find homes that meet your criteria, we can review them and schedule a tour at your convenience.

• When possible, all decision-makers should visit the various homes.
• Always be candid–it will help me understand your particular needs.

4. Prepare the offer Once we have found the home of your dreams, I will help you determine an appropriate offer price by reviewing market trends and similar home sales. With your input, I will draft a written offer that outlines the price as well as the responsibilities of both parties in preparation for the transaction. If the seller accepts the offer, it becomes a binding contract. It is imperative that you carefully review the contract and clarify any aspects that are not clear to you prior to offering.

• I will go through the contract with you and complete your offer
• If negotiations are necessary, I will work to ensure that you and the seller agree on all terms.
• All documents will be sent to the title company where a file will be opened and title commitment and property tax information ordered.

5. Apply for your loan

• Give your loan officer a copy of the contract, and apply for the loan.

6. Inspect the property To ensure your safety, soundness and the value of your investment, it is important to have the proper personnel thoroughly inspect the house after the offer and loan terms have been finalized.

• I will provide you with a list of Inspector and arrange for both a general inspection.
• Depending on the property and location, I can also provide information about other environmental assessments

7. Appraisal and survey of the property

• The lender will make arrangements for the property appraisal and survey.
• You will be provided a copy of the Title Commitment from Escrow.
• You will make arrangements to obtain homeowner’s (hazard) insurance, and arrange for the insurance agent to talk with the lender.

8. Schedule to attend the closing

• You will receive a copy of the closing statement for review prior to closing.
• I’ll arrange for your final walkthrough inspection of the property.
• You will bring a cashier’s check for all closing costs and the balance of the down payment.

  Sign documents and get keys You will sign loan documents with escrow, typically a business day prior to closing. The next business day, the lender will pay escrow, and escrow will record. Escrow will notify the agents once recorded, and you will get the keys. Congratulations, you just bought a new home!