BUYERS
STARTING YOUR HOUSE HUNT
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life or can be rather overwhelming. This can be true whether you’ve purchased several homes or you’re preparing to buy for the first time. Given the array of factors to consider, so working closely with a fantastic real estate agent is so important.
FEATURED PROPERTIES
Evaluating Your Goals
You and Barbara will define your criteria, including location, home type, and desired amenities. With your objectives set, Barbara will leverage market research, comps, and regional expertise to find your help you find the right property.
Prepare your finances
Barbara will assist you in finding a lender by providing a list of reputable options. Additionally, consulting with a loan specialist can help you determine your loan amount and obtain a pre-approval letter. This pre-approval process helps establish your budget, with a guideline suggesting a home price of three to five times your annual household income, assuming a 20% down payment.
Viewing and Finding the Perfect Home
Create a list of features you need in a home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and yard size, as well as features that would be nice to have, but are not essential. Once a collection of homes is compiled, showings will begin based on your established criteria. The more descriptive and precise you are, the more successful your home search will be. Stay on top of this, and you’re more likely to find the ideal home you’ve been envisioning
Let’s start your house haunt
Crafting a Strong Offer
Once your eyes are set on a property, Barbara will thoroughly research to help you craft a strong and appealing offer. You'll sit down together to write the purchase agreement, with Barbara offering guidance on protective contingencies, customary practices, and local regulations, ensuring you feel confident and well-informed throughout the process.
Responding to the Seller
When the seller responds, Barbara will review their response with you. If the seller counters your offer, you can choose to accept, reject, or make a counteroffer. This is also an opportunity to negotiate cosmetic upgrades or other repairs as part of the agreement.
Opening Your Escrow
Once the purchase agreement is accepted and signed by all parties involved, Barbara will initiate escrow for you. Your initial deposit will then be transferred to the title company, a neutral third party responsible for receiving, holding, and distributing all funds related to the transaction.
Removing Contingencies
All contingencies outlined in the Purchase Agreement must be satisfied before closing. Barbara will oversee the process of removing these contingencies and go through all related documentation with you. Typical contingencies include:
Home inspections
Loan approval, which includes a property appraisal
Approval of the seller’s transfer disclosure statement and initial title report
Closing Escrow
Once all conditions in the purchase agreement are met, you'll sign the loan documents and closing papers. Deposit your down payment and closing costs into escrow, and your lender will add the remaining purchase price balance. The deed will then be recorded at the County Recorder’s office, allowing you to move into your new home promptly!.
Congratulations!
After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams.
