Buying or selling a home?

For most people, purchasing a home can be an intimidating event. But with a bit of up-front planning, it's not too complex. So you understand exactly what to expect, I like to furnish my buyers with an overview of the entire deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
Before you begin searching for a home, there are many things you'll want to consider. You'll probably want to assemble an outline of items you want to have, get an idea of what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning your budget. A good rule to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be no more than 30 percent of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
This is where I come in. I'd be happy to plan a time to meet with you and speak with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss the mortgage industry, other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Abington area.

In addition, I'll assist you with getting started on your loan. I work with some of Abington's best mortgage professionals, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you choose which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After we meet for the first time, I'll start finding houses on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the houses and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.

When we view the homes, I'll call attention to good features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and don't like. Most often, buyers revise their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some items become far more essential than others. If such is the case, I'll go back through all the listings one more time and narrow it down to the house of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a feel for the market
My knowledge of the Abington home market is a valuable resource in your house search. I am acquainted with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll communicate which neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and the others that are "cold" and allow for more analysis.

As we view houses, I'll let you know if the asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Any REALTOR^® will tell you they comprehend the home market, but be wary, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. If it seems like they don't know everything, contact me at 781-871-0712 or e-mail me at carl.djusberg@verizon.net, and I'll be happy to answer your questions. My market knowledge will help you stay a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
I'm certain we'll find your dream house in the Abington area. When that happens, I'll precisely develop your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind, including some contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

When presenting your offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is often applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the initial offer, and it's very common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, propose 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. In addition, we'll work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll create a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Upon completing the contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-qualified, this won't be a long process at all. However, you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.>

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your loan application. The estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks adequate.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most likely take place at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and comfortable occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Success! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply contact me at 781-871-0712 or send me an e-mail.