Purchasing your new home in Punta Gorda

Buying a home can be stressful for many people, but with a little up-front planning, it's not all that confusing. So they understand exactly what to expect, I like to give buyers an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
Before you start your home search, there are many things you'll want to do. When you start your search, you'll want to form a list of features you need to have, get a feeling for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start planning your budget. A good rule of thumb to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be close to a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Punta Gorda
This is where I can help. I'd like to schedule a time to meet with you and talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Punta Gorda area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you get started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Punta Gorda, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They'll assist you with deciding which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After we meet for the first time, I'll start finding homes on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses whenever it's most convenient for you.

As we view the houses, I'll call attention to positive features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to tell us about things you like and don't like. It's common for buyers to update their wish list as we tour homes and some items become far more important than others. If that happens, I'll go back through the listings another time and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
My understanding of the Punta Gorda housing market is an imperative agent in your house search. I am familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to which areas are "hot" and warrant prompt action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful examination.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be on guard and be sure to ask your agent plenty of questions, as any real estate agent will tell you they know the home market. If it seems like they don't know everything, call me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will keep you a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm confident we'll find the home of your dreams in Punta Gorda. When we do, I'll meticulously create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including several contingencies, such as obtaining financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When we submit your offer, most likely you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property and is often put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals 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 contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
After we sign the final sales contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it shouldn't take very long at all. However, you need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs within three days of accepting your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a close range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and easygoing occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, make sure you call me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at .