- Get pre-qualified
and pre-approved with a lender.
Contact and meet with a lender before doing anything else. Tell the lender you
want to get pre-qualified and pre-approved. When you have gone through this
process, you will know the price range for your new home. Also, submitting a
contract with a pre-approval letter makes your offer a strong one. (Please call
me if you do not have a lender. I can refer one to you.)
-
Provide me with an email address and your phone number.
The
most efficient way of searching for homes is done through the MLS (Multiple
Listing Service). I will create a search for you based upon your wants and
needs for your new home. The fastest way for you to receive information on
homes for sale that fit your criteria is through email.
-
Setting up appointments.
Sellers may require a 24 hour
advance notice to show their homes for sale. Please call me in advance to set
up showings for homes you are interested in seeing. If you see a home while
driving around that interests you, please provide me with the street address
and contact information on the yard sign so that I can set up appointments.
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Submitting a contract for your new home.
When we find the
home that suits you, I will provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market
Analysis). The CMA will be useful in helping you decide what the offer price we
submit will be. If there are items (e.g. appliances, swing sets, pieces of
furniture, etc.) that you either want or dont want, let me know at this time
so that we can add these items to the contract. Please bring your checkbook for
earnest money. Earnest money is credited to you at closing. In general, the
more earnest money you put down, the more serious your offer is to the Seller.
-
After acceptance of the contract.
This is the time when I
will order your home inspection (if applicable). The home inspector will
inspect the home for major and minor repairs. When the inspector is done, you
will be provided with an inspection report. After reviewing the report, you
must determine which items you want the Seller to repair. Let me know EXACTLY
what you want repaired so that I can add these items to the contract. Sellers
may perform all, some or none of the repairs requested. This is also the time when the appraisal of your
home will be performed. Your lender will order the appraisal. According to the
contract we have submitted, you will not pay more for your new home than it is
worth. The home MUST appraise for at least the sales price.
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Final walk-through and Closing.
Were almost done! Shortly
before closing, we will do our final walk-through of your new home. We will
walk around the home to make sure everything is OK. For closing, contact your
closing attorney and ask: What do I need to bring to closing? He/she will
tell you what you need. Don't forget to ask for directions to the office and
confirm the closing appointment time. See you at closing!!!
