Looking to buy your home in Cary? RE/MAX Performance can help.
Buying a home can be stressful for a lot of people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it's not that hard.
I like to provide buyers with an outline of the entire deal so they'll know exactly what to expect.
Below are my nine steps to buying a home.
Should you have any questions about this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .
Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are plenty of things you'll want to take into account before you start looking for a home.
When you start your search, you'll want to make a check list of features you want, get a feeling for what school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget.
A good rule to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than 30 percent of your monthly income.
Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
This is where RE/MAX Performance comes in.
I'd be happy to book a time to meet with you and speak with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans.
We'll talk about neighborhoods, school districts in the Cary area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.
I'll also help you facilitate the loan process.
There are some great mortgage professionals in Cary, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands.
They will assist you with figuring out which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.
Step 3 – Start looking for a home
After our first meeting, I'll begin searching for available houses on the market that are great for you.
I'll preview most of the houses and exclude the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.
As we tour homes, I'll show you the good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you what things you like and dislike.
It's common for buyers to revise their wish list as we tour homes and some features become far more substantial than others.
If that happens, I'll go back through the listings once again and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.
Step 4 – Understand the housing market
An agent's knowledge of the Cary housing market is a necessary aspect in your home search. And I can assure you I'm familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will communicate which neighborhoods are "hot" and require prompt action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for more consideration.
As we view homes, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and also when I know the home is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as every REALTOR will claim to truly understand the market.
If it doesn't seem like they know everything, contact me at (919) 924-4991 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire process.
Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
We'll find the house of your dreams in Cary, and when that happens, I'll meticulously create your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including some contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.
When we turn in your purchase offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is typically put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the initial offer – it's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to accept the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.
The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the deal.
We'll also work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll formulate a deal that is best for you.
Step 7 – Obtain a loan
Once we sign the final contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan.
It won't take much time at all if you're already pre-approved, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender.
And I'll care for all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will give you a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs within three days of taking your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your application.
The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.
Then it's time to close on your house. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and comfortable affair.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at (919) 924-4991 or e-mail me at .