HOME BUYING STEPS - As your agent, I will be available to you through the whole process to guide you and answer questions you may have.
1. APPLY FOR MORTGAGE - Contact a mortgage broker to discuss your financial situation and determine your price range, the amount of loan you can obtain and what your monthly payment will be. Brokers usually work with various lenders and they will find you the best rate and terms for your financing. Check out my recommended lenders and obtain your pre-approval letter.
2. IF YOU ARE RENTING WITH A LEASE - Make sure you can give a 30-60 day notice or that your lease is complete within 60-90 days of looking for a home. It normally takes 2-4 weeks to find a home and 4-8 weeks to obtain your mortgage and close. The total time from start to finish is usually 2-3 months.
3. REVIEW HOMES - I will email you properties that meet criteria that you specify. Review the properties and drive by them to see if they look good in person. Pick out ones you want to view so that I can make our appointments. If, when driving around, you see any properties that look good – write down the address and town and I’ll look them up and set up an appointment.
4. VIEW PROPERTIES - I will make appointments to see the properties you’ve selected.
5. CHOOSE A HOME - I will help you write up an offer to purchase. You will need to put earnest money down (check) and sign the offer. I will present the offer to the seller.
6. NEGOTIATE OFFER - I will negotiate the offer on your behalf, while keeping in constant contact with you. We agree on price, inclusions, closing date, financing date, and any contingencies.
7. ATTORNEY REVIEW - Within five (5) business days from the Acceptance Date, you will need to hire an Attorney and have them review your contract. Check out my recommended attorneys.
8. INSPECTION PERIOD – Within five (5) business days from the Acceptance Date, you should have a professional home inspection. The usual charge is $300 to $450. Check out my recommended Home Inspectors.
9. RESERVE A MOVING COMPANY - If using Professional movers, reserve them in advance. If you move on your own, reserve a truck, moving blankets, dolly boxes, etc. Check out my recommended Movers.
10. FINALIZE MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS - Meet with your lender or mortgage broker within a few days after signing the contract. Lock in your rate and make sure they have all the documents they need to proceed with securing your loan.
11. HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE - Obtain a Homeowners Insurance Policy from an Insurance Agent. You pay for the policy and submit proof of insurance to the lender before closing. The mortgage company will pay your insurance policy in subsequent years out of your mortgage payment.
12. UTILITY COMPANIES - Contact the electric, gas, telephone, cable, satellite etc. companies to switch service to your name. The seller pays all utilities through closing day. Look for the phone numbers on my web page.
13. FINAL WALK THROUGH – On the day of or the day before closing, we will go through your new home and open all the doors, cabinets, drawers, and check it from top to bottom to make sure it’s in the same condition it was when we wrote the contract. Any repairs that the sellers agreed to make should be complete.
14. CLOSING DAY - Your attorney will give you your final figure or the amount of money you need to bring to the closing. If the amount is greater than $50,000 you will need to have the money wired to the title company. If the amount is greater than $5,000 but less than $50,000 you can bring a cashier’s check. You’ll sign all the mortgage and closing documents and receive the keys to your new home.
15. AFTER CLOSING FOLLOW-UP – I have resources for carpentry, painting, carpeting, kitchens, bathrooms, floorings, cutting grass etc. Please use my website as a resource center.
16. THROW A HOUSE WARMING PARTY ON US - Give me a guest list and I’ll send out invitations and then I will provide you with either the food or wine & beer! Ask for details! Congratulations!
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