Start by creating a prioritized list of features you want in your next home and the reasons why. Use it as your search guide, but remember that depending on your funding, you will probably need to make some compromises. In addition, tell me about where you want to live. Location is a huge part of any move. I will help you narrow down your choices by sharing market trends and local information like neighborhood statistics and school information.

Figuring Out What You Can Afford

Now that you know what you want, it's time to see what you can afford. You can start by crunching the numbers yourself using our selection of calculators.

When you're ready to move to the next step, you can get pre-approved for a mortgage. This process can often be performed in under an hour and it accomplishes two important goals. First, it will tell you how much house you can afford and what your monthly payments would be. Second, it tells the seller that you can afford to buy their home.

By definition, a pre-approved buyer has an approved mortgage subject to an appraisal of the property. Many times a buyer can use this pre-approved status as leverage during the negotiation process.

Shopping For Homes

Once you know what community you'd like to live in and have an idea of how much house you can afford, its time to start checking out actual properties. Beginning this search online can help save you time since it can help you target homes that meet your search criteria.

Next, begin visiting homes in person. Ask me to arrange visits and attend open houses that are in your target area and price range. When comparing homes, make sure to look at all aspects of the property. Is the property tax approximately the same? Are both the houses renovated? Do they both have the same amount of bedrooms and bathrooms? Are both houses located on the same or similar streets? Does either house have any encumbrances?

I will show you as many properties as you might need to see to understand the current market.

Making An Offer

Once you find the home you want, you need to make an offer to purchase the property. Typically this is a very difficult and trying time since both you and the seller have totally different goals.

I will work on your side to negotiate the offer. If you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, don't give out any information about your move, your current housing status, financial status or your feelings about their property - positive or negative. This could hurt you in future negotiations.

Inspection & Insurance

If the seller accepts your offer, you will need to set up, coordinate and interpret various inspections, including insect, radon, building quality, oil tank, title, etc depending on the type of property you are purchasing. You will also need to arrange for homeowners insurance and finalize the mortgage.

This is a major step in the buying process and there are many potential problems that can be discovered during this period including a leaky roof, radon gas, termite damage, a foundation problem, and wall cracks, to name a few. These problems happen all the time. The difference between closing on your dream home and starting the process all over again is what occurs during the negotiations between you and the seller.

I can help make these discussions go more smoothly. You will also have the option of a "walk through" before the closing. This is your last chance to make sure that all of the items that you have agreed upon were completed to your satisfaction.

Closing the Deal

Before you arrive at the closing, make sure all the necessary paper work and deposits have been completed. If the mortgage, title work, homeowners insurance and other items necessary under local and state laws are not completed and brought to the closing table, the closing may not happen on time. And, depending on what the contract says, this could result in further action including financial penalties and even the loss of your rights to the home.

Once you close, its official - you own the house! But there might be a few things you want to do before you lay out the welcome mat. These include arranging for an alarm system, turning on the electricity, subscribing to the local paper, cleaning or replacing the carpet, arranging for lawn services, etc depending on your needs. This could also be a good time to make some needed renovations. I will help you locate the right vendor for the write job as a compliment for using my service as a realtor.