Purchasing your new home in West Palm Beach

Buying a home is intimidating for many people, but with some up-front planning, it's not too complicated. So they know exactly what to expect, I will supply buyers with a road map 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 glad to address any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
Prior to beginning your home search, there are several things you'll want to contemplate. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to assemble an outline of features you need to have, get a plan of what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is around 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
This is where J. Briann Realty Group, Inc. can help. We'll arrange a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, schools in the West Palm Beach area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also help you get started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in West Palm Beach, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They can help you decide which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking
After our first meeting, I'll start looking for available houses on the market that best suit you. I'll research most of the homes and exclude the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll call attention to good features, as well as bad ones. I'll even ask you what things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers update their must-have list as we view houses and some things become more substantial than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through all the listings once again and trim it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Know the market
An agent's awareness of the West Palm Beach housing market is an essential element in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I'll communicate certain districts are "hot" and call for immediate action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for careful analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll make sure to communicate if the list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as any REALTOR will claim to truly understand the home market. If things don't add up, just call me at 561-688-1316 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. My understanding of the market will keep you a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
We'll find the house of your dreams in West Palm Beach, and when we do, I'll thoroughly create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including many contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clean title.

When turning in your offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the first offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
Once we sign the final sales contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It won't take long at all if you've been pre-approved, but you'll need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will supply you with a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs within three days of receiving your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of accepting your application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to involve all closing costs and fall within a close range of accuracy, and I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

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

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at 561-688-1316 or e-mail me at .