Buyer's Guide

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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?  I will help identify properties you might be interested in purchasing, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process. I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Once you have selected the perfect home, I can help you submit an offer to purchase.  Pay close attention to this step.  There is much more to an offer than the purchase price.  Other important components are the closing date, financing contingencies, Due Diligence time frame and personal property conveyance.  The purchase agreement is typically several pages long.  I can help you understand what all those pages are saying.   

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. Be prepared.  Your lender will likely ask you for a lot of paperwork to confirm things like employment, debt, credit score.  The lender will have to submit this information to their underwriting department for final approval.  This process typically takes at least 30 days.  During this time, the lender will also order an appraisal of the property to validate its value.

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, much of it will be coordinated by your lender, title company, and the Closing Attorney. Each plays an important role: the lender manages your financing, the title company handles the title search and insurance, and the Closing Attorney oversees the legal documentation and ensures everything is executed properly. If you have questions during the process, directing them to the appropriate party—lender, title company, or Closing Attorney—will help ensure a smooth closing.