Buyer Resource Page

Before purchasing a home, the very first things you should do is check your credit score and figure out your affordability.You're allowed one Free Credit Report per year by visiting Annualcreditreport.com. (Higher scores mean better loan terms) You can also check your credit score for free at www.creditkarma.com.

There are a ton of online mortgage calculators that you can use to calculate an affordable monthly mortgage payment. They're easy to use but you'll need to factor in down payment, closing costs, NOTE: You don't have to put down 20%... There are plenty of Low Money/No Money Down Programs, and several First Time Home Buyer / Grant Programs. 

An experienced lender & home expert can help you understand your options, closing costs and any other associated fees.  

After establishing that you're ready to purchase a home, you'll want to find a Lender & Real Estate Agent to help you navigate the market. There's plenty of ways to find them; You can get referrals from friends and family or check with the Better Business Bureau. 

After finding the right mortgage lender, you'll need to get a pre-approval before seriously considering any purchases. 

Depending what you tell the lender they will issue you a pre-approval... but it's not a guarantee yet.. The lender will need to pull your credit and get more detailed information about you; It's always recommended you Fast Track by turning all your documents ahead of time to get a Actual Approval before submitting Offers. 

Your offer will look more better and financing is guaranteed.

The hardest part of purchasing a home will always be finding the right one. 

Consider all of the important factors: 

- Minimum Bedrooms & Bathrooms

- Age and Condition of property 

- Storage Space and Appliances 

- Parking Requirements

- Yard or Special Features

- HOA Rules / Fees (if any)

After going through your list of necessary home requirements you'll want to figure out what Neighborhoods / Areas you want to be, School Districts or Safety Concerns, Distance to and from work, Take into account any Investment Potential (if applicable), Home Appreciation, and explore Proximity to Restaurants and Shopping Centers, and overall Walkability.

An expert in the market will help make this an easy and smooth process for you. 

You found your home and you're ready to make an offer. Markets are constantly changing and although it may be a Sellers Market one minute.. the next it may be a Buyers market. Sometimes Sellers price their homes high, assuming Buyers will place a lower offer. Other times they price their home below Market Value with an intention of getting Competing Offers. 

In a Buyer's Market you may find it easy to get the deal but in a Sellers Market you may end up in a Bidding War. If the home you're competing for is the one you want your offer would have to be the best. 

Regardless of the market; if you work with a knowledgable Licensed Real Estate professional, your home search and negotiation will be much easier. 

Once your Offer is Accepted you'll need to turn in Earnest Money (a good faith deposit held as a security for your home purchase) into the Escrow Company.  

Before you close; you'll want to get an inspection to ensure the property's in good condition and to find out what repairs or improvements will need to be made. Additionally, Buyer's are entitled to a Final Walkthrough to ensure the property is in the same condition as when they first previewed the home. Also, don't forget to take into account all the Closing Costs (down payment, title fees, appraisal fees, loan origination fees, attorney fees, points paid to lower interest rates, etc) 

Setting up Closing will probably always be one of the hardest parts of the deal. Everyone's schedule is different and some people may not even be in the State or Country at the same time... but everyone usually finds a way to agree on a time or is set up for a Mobile / Remote Closing. When Wiring Funds or using a Certified Check you may have to wait until the Funds clear to get access to your new home. Additionally, depending on how the deal is structured, there may be a Post Occupancy and the Seller may continue to live in the property until the mutually agreed upon Possession Date.

You've Closed on the home and the Funds have cleared... What a relief! 

You may have a lot of stuff and need to use a Mover... additionally you may have some Repairs or a Remodel planned. 

Your Real Estate Agent should be a 5 Star Concierge when it comes to helping you through this final process. 

An experience Realtor will have a list of vendors and resources available for you.  

Well you're done! Congratulations! 

You're now Ready to get out there and find a home. You've got the basics down and you're prepared for whatever market you're about to experience.