Buying or selling a home in West Palm Beach? J. Briann Realty Group, Inc. can help.
For many people, buying a home is a stressful event. But with a bit of up-front planning, it's not very complicated.
I like to supply buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they know exactly what they can expect.
These 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 address any questions you have regarding this information.
Step 1 – Get ready to purchase
There are a lot of things you need to contemplate before beginning your home search.
You'll probably want to make a list of items you need, get a plan of what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget.
A good rule to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around 1/3 of your monthly income.
Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
That's where I come in.
I'd be happy to plan a time to get together with you and talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans.
We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, schools in the West Palm Beach area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.
I can also help you get started on your loan.
I work with some of West Palm Beach's best mortgage professionals, so you're in great hands.
They will help you choose which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.
Step 3 – Start your home search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin finding homes on the market that meet your needs.
I'll preview many of the houses and throw out the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.
As we tour the homes, I'll identify positive features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and don't like.
It's widely common for buyers to revise their list of must-haves as we view houses and some items become far more essential than others.
If such is the case, I'll go back through all the listings again and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.
Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
My knowledge of the West Palm Beach market is an imperative agent in your house search. I'm informed of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can let you know some neighborhoods are "hot" and require prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for careful examination.
When we view homes, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and when I believe the home is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be on guard and be sure to ask lots of questions, as any real estate agent will claim to know the market.
If it appears they don't know everything, call me at 561-688-1316 or e-mail me at , and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire process.
Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm sure we'll find your dream house in West Palm Beach. When that happens, I'll precisely develop your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clean title.
Upon submitting your offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure an offer to buy the property, and it's typically applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts don't close on the beginning offer. It's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to consent to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.
How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on the state of the market.
In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll create a deal that works well for you.
Step 7 – Secure a loan
After the contract is finalized, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan.
It shouldn't take very long at all if you're pre-qualified, but you should to stay in close contact with your lender.
And I'll sort out all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your application.
The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks all right.
Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and easygoing occasion.
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, make sure you call me at 561-688-1316 or e-mail me at .