Buying or selling a home in Cary?
With some up-front planning, purchasing a home isn't too difficult, but the event is stressful for a lot of people.
I like to provide buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they'll understand exactly what to expect.
Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home.
If you have questions about any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .
Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
There are many things you'll want to consider before you look for a home.
When you start your search, you'll probably want to create an outline of must-have features, get a feel for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget.
Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to a third of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to follow.
Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent in Cary
That's where I come in.
We'll schedule a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future.
We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Cary area.
I'll also assist you with getting started on your loan.
RE/MAX One Hundred partners with some of Cary's finest mortgage professionals, so you're in great hands.
They can assist you with determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.
Step 3 – Begin looking
After we meet, I'll start finding available houses on the market that suit your needs.
I'll preview most of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes when it's convenient for you.
As we view the houses, I'll show you the good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike.
It's widely common for buyers to amend their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some items become far more important than others.
If that's the case, I'll look through the listings another time and trim it down to the house of your dreams.
Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
Your agent's understanding of the Cary market is a leading element in your home search. And I assure you I'm conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to what neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for careful examination.
When we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the seller's asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be careful and be sure to ask lots of questions. Every REALTOR in Cary will tell you they understand the housing market.
If things don't add up, contact me at 9199244991 or e-mail me at , and I'd be happy to answer your questions. My market knowledge will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.
Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm sure we'll find your dream house in the Cary area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including some contingencies, such as obtaining financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clean title.
When sending in your purchase offer, you'll probably need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts don't close on the beginning offer – it's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it alarm you. We'll figure out whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse 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 create a deal that is best for you.
Step 7 – Secure financing
Upon finalizing the deal, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan.
If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't be a long process at all. But you need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender.
And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will furnish you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs within three days of taking your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your loan application.
The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.
Then it's time to close on your home. This will most likely occur at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and hassle-free occurrence.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to contact me at 9199244991 or e-mail me at .