"Never Make a Move without amia!"

I more than understand that buying  a home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I will  lead you in the right direction toward the home for your dreams. You first may want to ask yourself these questions:

• What am I looking for in a new home?
• Do I have enough money to purchase a new home?
• How does my credit look?

 I have several friends in the mortgage industry who know all about special loans, grants, and down payment assistance. 

It is important as a buyer that you establish some kind of financing before you make any serious home offer. The "pre-approval" process allows lenders to take a look at your finances and credit history in order to make a general assumption about your loan amount.

The pre-approval process is when a lender looks at all of your finances and determines the amount of money you could afford for a mortgage.

 Event if you don't choose to hire me as your agent. It is so  important to do your homework on the real estate companies in your area. Let's be honest: there are a ton of REALTORS out there! 

Feel free to ask them the following questions:

• How many years of experience do you have in this industry?
• What is your selling experience in my community?
• What professional certifications do you hold (ex. Certified Residential Specialist - CRS)?
• What services will you provide for me as my agent?
• How will you represent me as a buyer?
• Can you provide all the information that I need about homes in the area that fit into my price range?
• What is the fee for your services?
• Can you provide all of the different scenarios with the sale of the property I may purchase? (as far as commissions and fees)
• Can you explain the paperwork that I will need to sign?
• What is my contracted timeframe for using you as my agent?

Once you have chosen an agent, it is important to establish specific goals that you would like to meet. It is very important to communicate with your real estate agent and, in turn, that your real estate agent communicates with you.

 Now it is time to start the exciting search for homes! You may want to narrow down your search by asking yourself the following questions:

• Where do I want to live?
• What is the neighborhood like?
• What is the crime rate?
• Would I be moving into a good school district?
• Are there any zoning restrictions?
• How far is this home from my job?
• What is my price range?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I want?
• What style of house am I attracted to?
• What amenities do I desire (ex. pool, fenced-in yard, etc.)?
• Does this home have potential to increase in value?
• Is there room to expand if I would like to build an addition?

Searching for a home is becoming easier than years ago. We now have the Internet as a powerful "home finding tool," as well as the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and print advertising.

 Selecting a home should be relatively easy once a home falls somewhere in your criteria and the property is desirable for purchase.

There are three steps in selecting a home:

1. Accept the seller's asking price and have your agent write up the contract
2. Reject the seller's asking price and have your agent make a different offer, or
3. Agree to different terms and have your agent write an offer

This is all a part of the negotiation process.

Communicating about the house and how it makes you feel is important when making this decision. It is also important to be realistic when it comes to how much you can afford when selecting "your" home.

After a successful inspection and appraisal it's time to get your keys at the closing table! 

The closing process can often be referred to as "settlement" or "escrow" in different parts of the country. 

Closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title insurance, termite inspections, surveys, and appraisals).

The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for the property. The amount the seller receives is based upon the amount that is still owed on the mortgage, any outstanding fees or taxes, and any additional closing costs. All legal papers are filed with the local record office.

It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It is important as the seller to take a final walk through the property to make sure the property's condition as not changed. It is equally important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.