Ready to Buy

Choosing a Home
Buying a home can be the one of the largest financial investments you'll make in your lifetime so there's no doubt that choosing the right home is an enormous decision. There is a great deal of money at stake you don't want to rush or be pressured into making a hasty decision. 

To ensure you are making this commitment on the right property honestly rate each home you view and carefully compare each property according to the standards and priorities determined in your wish list. After looking at a selection of homes within your particular parameters, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements perhaps overlooked the first time through.

With the time you've invested in researching your property and reviewing the market, you can feel more confident that you have chosen a home that best fits your needs and dreams. Once you have found that house you may begin imagining yourself moving in and living there. But try not to get too attached prematurely. There are a number of steps you must take before you're holding the keys in your hand, and you need to think clearly and objectively at this point so that the offer you make is a realistic one.

Making the Offer
When it is time to write an offer, rely on your sales associate's expertise. This is a very exciting and emotional and experience. No aspect of the home buying process is more complex, personal or variable than bargaining between buyers and sellers. This is the point where the value of a real estate professional is clearly evident because he or she knows the community, has seen numerous homes for sale, knows local home values and has the expertise to negotiate real estate transactions.

Your associate will help you fill out a purchase agreement stating the price you are willing to pay, the down payment, inspections, and any other necessary details. You will be asked to make an earnest money deposit which is held in the broker's escrow account and is applied to the purchase price at closing.

Once you haved signed the contract, it will be presented to the seller. The seller may accept it as written, make a counteroffer, or reject it. Your associate will guide you through the negotiations. A negotiation burdened with too many conditions, issues, or emotion on either side will fail. Keep the most important issues in the forefront and make appropriate trade-offs from your list to achieve your goal.

Before you commit to purchase a property a number of inspections are common in residential real estate transactions. They include structural inspections of the home, pest inspection, appraisals to determine value for lenders, title reviews,and surveys to determine land boundaries.

Once a contract is accepted, both you and the seller will sign completed contracts.

Securing the Mortgage
You found your dream home, the offer has been accepted, now it's time to secure the loan.

There can be a variety of loan options to consider, each offering different rates and features. Lenders will provide information on the types of loans they offer. When selecting a loan you should look for a competitive rate of interest, sufficient time to repay the loan, favorable conditions and options that suit your neeeds.

The mortgage you choose will likely be determined by several key factors, including the amount of the downpayment, the need for a third party mortgage guarantee, your credit rating, and if  you are a first-time buyer. Mortgage financing requires that you complete a written loan application and provide supporting documentation such as proof of employment, rental history, and tax returns.

Real Estate One is the source for home financing. You benefit from our relationships with a broad selection of lenders. We've done our homework to provide the best loan products, saving you valuable time and money. 

Advantages
-  Competitive interest rates and fees
-  Complimentary, no-obligation pre-qualification
-  Easy application process
-  More lenders and more products to choose from
-  Local processing minimizes time spent during closing

Mortgage Solutions
-  Mortgages from $25,000 - $3,000,000
-  15 to 30-year fixed-rate and adjustable rate alternatives
-  Rates with extended lock periods and float-down feature to protect you in an escalating rate market

Specialities
-  Owner-occupied, second or vacation home financing
-  Special financing program for transferees

Closing
The closing process, also known as "settlement" is a brief process where all of the necessary paperwork needed to complete the transaction is signed. With today's technology closings are becoming increasingly computerized and automated, often with buyers and sellers not even needing to attend the actual event. Signed paperwork can be sent to the closing agent in advance.

However the closing happens, the result is that the proeprty is transferred from seller to buyer. The buyer receives the keys and the seller receives due payment for the home. From the amount credited to the seller, the closing agent subtracts money to pay off the existing morgage and other transaction costs. Deeds, loan papers, and other documents are prepared, signed and  filed with  local property record offices.

Moving In
You did it! You made the decision to buy a home, searched for properties, made an offer, obtained financing, signed the contract and closed. You are now a home owner! 

Welcome Home!