The Buying Process

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Get Pre-Approved

The first step to buying a home is to understand your buying power and establish a price range. A licensed lender can help evaluate your financial standing and provide a pre-approval. They will review your income and credit history to determine how much the bank will lend you, which will help you determine the price range for your search. Having a pre-approval letter in-hand can also increase the attractiveness of your offer, particularly when a seller has multiple offers to choose from.

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The Home Search

You can start your search for the perfect home right here with up-to-date MLS listings in your favorite neighborhoods. Create your free account to save your favorite properties, request showings and more! As your REALTOR®REALTOR® Team, Iwe will also search for homes on your behalf. When you find a home that you like, we'll schedule a showing tour for you to preview the property in person.

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Disclosures & Investigations

Examining the physical state of your future home is crucial during the home-buying journey. Before making an offer on any property, we will carefully examine inspection reports and disclosures provided by the seller. These documents typically include various inspections like home, pest, and termite, as well as sewer lateral and roof inspections, among others. They also contain disclosures from the seller and reports from the city. Depending on the terms of the purchase agreement, we may engage in further negotiations to address any issues uncovered during the inspection. Typically, the offer price will reflect the house's condition.

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Making An Offer

When you're ready to move forward with a purchase, Iwe will advise you on constructing the strongest offer possible. Then Iwe will draw up the necessary paperwork on your behalf. There is a lot to consider when making an offer. We'll discuss the purchase price, the closing date, sale contingencies and any special stipulations for your particular purchase. Once an offer is submitted, the seller may accept, reject or counter the offer. If the seller returns a counter, we will enter a negotiation period until an agreement is reached, or the offer is rejected by either party.

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Going Under Contract

If your offer is accepted, Iwe will bind the agreement, and you will be officially under contract. The purchase will not be complete until closing, but the home cannot be sold to anyone else while the contract remains in effect. At this point you may be required to make an earnest money deposit, and you will also need to secure your mortgage loan, unless you are making a cash purchase. Lenders offer a wide range of loan programs, so it's important to work with a lender you trust to help you determine the best loan for your specific circumstances.

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Home Appraisal

Your lender will arrange a professional appraisal of the home. An appraisal is an unbiased estimate of the true (or fair market) value of a home and is conducted by an independent third party. The appraiser will confirm the appraisal value of the property for all parties involved. If the home appraises at less than the expected value, you may have the option to renegotiate the purchase agreement or terminate the contract.

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The Final Walkthrough

Prior to closing, we will conduct a final walkthrough of the home to ensure that all negotiated repairs have been completed, and that the home is in the same (or better) condition as when the original offer was made. This is the final opportunity to call out any problems identified with the home before closing. Depending on the purchase agreement, you may sign a formal contract addendum confirming that the walkthrough is complete, and the condition of the home is acceptable.

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Closing!

Time to celebrate! Your lender will provide a final closing disclosure that summarizes the loan terms, monthly payments, taxes, and other costs associated with the closing. They will also confirm that you are clear to close, and you will sign all of the paperwork required to complete your purchase and loan agreement. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties and your loan is funded, you will receive keys, and you'll be ready to move into your new home!

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Moving Checklist

Make planning your move effortless with myour Moving Checklist, your essential guide to a successful move. From getting organized two months before moving day, to packing, updating personal records, and final home preparations, this complete guide is designed to keep your move on track and stress-free.