When embarking on such an important and complicated process as purchasing a new home or selling a current one, you will want to understand the process of working with a Realtor. Here are the major steps I will take with you in order to help you buy that perfect home, or sell your current one smoothly.
Buying:
Find the Property
First you’ll need to determine what kind of home you can afford to buy. I can refer you to a loan officer who will help you decide the down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and insurance costs you will be able to afford. If you want a quick estimate of monthly mortgage costs, use our mortgage rate calculator on every listing detail page. Think about the features that are important to you in your future home, and communicate them with me. I can then help you focus your selection on listings that meet your expectations.
Make an Offer
Once you’ve found ‘the one,’ discuss your thoughts about making an offer with me. Since I know the terrain of real estate and I know about the pricing of comparable properties, I can make assist you in putting forth an offer that is affordable without risking losing the house.
Purchase and Sale Agreement
Once the property seller accepts the offer that we put forth for you, you and the seller will enter into a legal contract called a Purchase and Sale Agreement. This contract details all of the specific terms and conditions of the transaction.
Inspection
As the buyer, you are going to want to have your future property inspected professionally so you know exactly what kind of repair jobs you will be taking on after purchase. After the you and the seller reach an agreement on the property, a home inspector is hired to give the house a thorough investigation (including areas like the air-conditioning system, plumbing system, electrics, the roof and basement, the heating system, the gutters, and the water heater) and provide a report on any repairs that are needed. I can provide you with a list of qualified inspectors and answer any questions you have about this process.
Negotiation
In order to get the best deal on your new home, I will act as your advocate and negotiate on your behalf. As someone who has dealt with countless real estate negotiations and is expertly trained in getting the best price, I can take care of all the negotiations, from the sales price to financing and concessions
Financing
At this point in the process, you will start working more closely with your lender to determine your final loan approval.
Title Insurance
You and your lender will receive a thorough report that outlines the property history in order to ensure that there is no other claim on the property besides the owner.
Escrow
After the seller has accepted our offer and we have agreed on a closing date, we will start the escrow process. Escrow lets the buyer and seller have a third party ensure that all parts of the paperwork are complete. My team and I can help coordinate the necessary forms to the escrow company and I will also oversee the escrow process until it is finished.
Closing
Before closing, you will receive a settlement statement that states any fees that may apply for you. When it’s time for the closing process, I will be available to handle any final details and answer your questions. Then, both you and the seller will sign the paperwork and pay any settlement fees that apply. Once the paperwork is recorded and the process is finalized, you will officially have your new home!
Selling:
Representation
When you choose me as your partner, I will start by listening to your needs and analyzing your situation in the current market. From here on out, I will be your partner and resource when it comes to marketing your home, preparing your home for sale, negotiating with buyers, and helping you understand the technical terms, forms, and documents.
Price
Because of the sheer amount of elements that factor in to a home’s value, a knowledgeable Realtor is required in order to determine the right price. If your home is being marketed at the correct price, you will be much more likely to receive the highest return in the least amount of time. As your real estate agent, I will provide you with a comparable market analysis so that you know what your home is worth and why it is worth that much.
Preparation
Preparing your home is crucial to getting the best value out of the sale. Before your house even goes up for sale, we can work together to decide which projects will help your home look its best. These projects can range from repainting your front door, to fixing your broken fence, to adding houseplants to your kitchen. See my page on [link to Page: preparing your home for sale] on how to prepare your home for sale for more information.
Marketing
Your home will need to be marketed in order to attract the best buyers. Creating a marketing plan that includes online and print advertising is a good idea for sellers, but I will also conduct my own strategic marketing outreach and network with my contacts in order to really get your home in the spotlight.
Showings
Showing your home is one of the most crucial steps in selling it. The showing process can range from minor preparations like vacuuming the floors, to larger projects like removing furniture and certain decorations. Usually, the seller will clear out of the house during the showing and let the agent take the reigns. As your real estate agent, I can advise you on how to make your particular home look its best during a showing. You can also see my page ("Preparing Your Home for Sale") on how to prepare your home for sale for more information.
Purchase and Sale Agreement
Once the property seller accepts your offer, you and the seller will enter into a legal contract called a Purchase and Sale Agreement. This contract details all of the specific terms and conditions of the transaction.
Inspection
After you and the buyer have come to an acceptance on the property, your property will be professionally inspected for necessary repairs. The inspector will investigate areas including the air-conditioning system, plumbing system, electrics, the roof and basement, the heating system, the gutters, and the water heater) and provide a report on any repairs that are needed. The buyers will then have an opportunity to negotiate on cost or concessions to cover the repairs. I can help you with this negotiation.
Negotiation
Similarly to buying a new home, selling your home requires skilled negotiation. In order to get the best offer for your property, I will act as your representative and negotiate on your behalf. As someone who has dealt with countless real estate transactions and is expertly trained in negotiating, I will take care of all this process, from the sales price to financing and concessions.
Escrow
After you accept an offer from the buyer and we have agreed on a closing date, we will start the escrow process. Escrow lets the buyer and seller have a third party ensure that all parts of the paperwork are complete. My team and I will help coordinate the necessary forms to the escrow company and I will also oversee the escrow process until it is finished.
Closing
To close the deal, both you and the seller will sign the paperwork and pay any settlement fees that apply. When it’s time for the closing process, I will be available to handle any final details and answer your questions. Once the paperwork is recorded and the process is finalized, you will officially have sold your home!
