Buyer's Guide

If you are paying cash, your probably have a good idea of what you want to spend on your new home. If you are financing your purchase, remember it’s not always what you can spend, but rather decide what you want to spend. Consider your monthly budget to determine what you would be comfortable spending on a mortgage payment each month. Don’t forget to include additional home expenses in your overall budget that might include utilities, renovations, upgrades, landscaping or HOA fees.

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for a professional real estate advisor like me to look out for your best interests? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and negotiate the offer process, but I also have an in-depth knowledge of the market that can help you determine what constitutes a good offer that is likely to get accepted. I will also accompany you through the nearly 120 step legal process to get you to the finish line and into your new dream home.

Once you have selected the perfect home, we will work together to compose a strong and competitive offer based on your preferences, the value of comparable homes, and current, local market conditions.  Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. There are many other factors that we consider when composing an offer that is likely to get accepted. If a Counter Offer is the response to the original offer, I will help you negotiate the best possible outcome.

Typically, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you choose an inspection company, schedule an appointment for the inspection and will review the findings report with you. Along with the home inspection, there are a multitude of possible concerns that should be examined before your inspection period ends, such as school districts, proximity to jobs, insurability of the home, area environmental concerns, etc. We will go over all of those possibilities with you and provide resources for investigating.

Because there are so many steps in the process of buying a home, the amount of paperwork can feel overwhelming. Remember that we are with you every step through the process and can answer any questions you have along the way. Final paperwork appointments will be scheduled with the title company and your lender. On closing day, the title company will have the required documents recorded with the county and once that has taken place, you will receive the keys to your new home!