Buying your home in Punta Gorda

Purchasing a home is an intimidating event for a lot of people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it's not very complex. So they'll understand exactly what they can expect, I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. If you have any questions regarding any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
There are plenty of things you should consider before you look for a home. You'll want to create a check list of must-haves, get an idea of what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is no more than 30 percent of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent in Punta Gorda
This is where I come in. We can plan a time to meet so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Punta Gorda area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also help you start the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in Punta Gorda, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll assist you with choosing which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After our first meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll research many of the houses and remove the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

As we view the houses, I'll point out good features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. Generally, buyers update their wish list as we view homes and some features become far more crucial than others. If such is the case, I'll look through the listings again and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Punta Gorda market is a necessary component in your home search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can communicate some areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for more examination.

When we view houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has room for bargaining and when I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be on guard and make sure you ask a lot of questions. Every real estate agent will convince you they understand the home market. If things don't add up, contact me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I know we'll find the house of your dreams in Punta Gorda. When that happens, I'll carefully 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, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When we submit your purchase offer, you'll likely need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is typically put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most contracts don't close on the initial offer. It's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it alarm you. We'll consider whether or not to accept the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that is best for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
Upon completing the deal, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-approved, this shouldn't take very long at all, but you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your loan application. The estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements order that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a precise range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.

Then it's time to close on your home. This should take place at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and calm occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you contact me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at .