Buying or selling a home in West Palm Beach? J. Briann Realty Group, Inc. can help.

Purchasing a home is stressful for a lot of people, but with some planning ahead of time, it's not too hard. I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what to expect. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have any questions regarding any of this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
Before you begin looking for a home, there are a lot of things you should take into account. When you start your search, you'll want to form a checklist of items you need, get an idea of what school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good rule of thumb to follow is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around 30 percent of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd be more than happy to set up a time to get together with you and speak with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the West Palm Beach area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in West Palm Beach, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll assist you with determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After our first meeting, I'll begin looking for available homes on the market that are good for you. I'll research most of the houses and ignore the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses whenever it's most convenient for you.

As we tour houses, I'll identify good features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to update their wish list as we view houses and some features become far more important than others. If such is the case, I'll look through the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My awareness of the West Palm Beach market is an essential element in your house search. I'm mindful of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to what areas are "hot" and demand prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for careful examination.

As we view houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has room for negotiation and when I trust the house is "priced to sell." Be mindful and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as every REALTOR will tell you they truly know the market. If it appears they don't know everything, just call me at 561-688-1316 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. My market knowledge will keep you a step above the rest through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
We'll find your dream house in West Palm Beach, and when we do, I'll precisely develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including a lot of contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, completing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When we turn in your purchase offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property, and it's most often put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts aren't closed on the first offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to accept the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll put together a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
Upon completing the deal, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, this won't take long at all. However, you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your house. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and will probably be a smooth and calm event.

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