Buying or selling a home in Punta Gorda? Marianne L. Lilly - RE/MAX Harbor Realty can help.

Buying a home is stressful for most people. However, with some planning ahead of time, it isn't too confusing. So they'll understand exactly what to expect, I'll furnish buyers with an outline of the entire deal. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
Before you start looking for a home, there are plenty of things you need to consider. You'll want to put together a checklist of items you need, get a feel for what school districts you'd like to live in, and start planning your budget. A good guideline to go by is that your mortgage payment should be close to 30 percent of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Punta Gorda
That's where I come in. We'll set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs 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 other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also assist you with getting 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 will assist you in choosing which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start house hunting
After our first meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll research many of the homes and eliminate the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

As we view the houses, I'll point out positive features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to update their list of must-haves as we view houses and some things become far more crucial than others. If that happens, I'll look through the listings another time and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My understanding of the Punta Gorda home market is a crucial agent in your home search. I'm informed of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll communicate which districts are "hot" and warrant prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

As we view homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as any REALTOR will claim to truly know the market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My market expertise will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I know we'll find your dream house in the Punta Gorda area. When that happens, I'll carefully create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we send in your purchase offer, most likely you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's typically put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals aren't closed on the first offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to agree to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Upon finishing the contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. This shouldn't take much time at all if you're already pre-qualified, but you should to keep in close contact with your mortgage 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 Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your loan application. This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy. I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks permissible.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and comfortable occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply call me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at .