Purchasing your home in Dunedin ?

Buying a home is intimidating for most people, but it isn't very hard with a little planning ahead of time. I like to supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they'll understand exactly what to expect. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
Before you begin looking for a home, there are many things you should do. When you start your search, you'll want to assemble an outline of items you need, get an idea of what school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to a third of your monthly income is a good rule to go by.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
This is where I can help. We'll schedule a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, schools in the Dunedin area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future.

In addition, I'll assist you with getting started on your loan. I partner with some of the best mortgage professionals in Dunedin , so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll help you figure out which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start house-hunting
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin finding available houses on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and reject the bad ones, and then we'll book appointments to tour the homes when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll point out positive features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and dislike. Usually, buyers update their must-have list as we view houses and some items become more important than others. If that happens, I'll look through the listings once again and narrow it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Understand the market
My knowledge of the Dunedin home market is a fundamental element in your home search. I'm mindful of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can communicate which districts are "hot" and demand immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for more consideration.

When we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Every REALTOR in Dunedin will convince you they understand the market, but trust your instincts, and be sure to ask your agent lots of questions. If it seems like they don't know everything, call me at (727) 455-5510 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm sure we'll find the home of your dreams in Dunedin . When that happens, I'll carefully develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include several 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. The amount is usually applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most deals don't close on the initial offer. It's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll consider whether or not to accept the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll put together a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
After the contract is complete, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. It won't be a long process at all if you're already pre-qualified, but you should to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your application. The estimate is based on the loan amount. RESPA requirements order that it has to include all closing costs and be within a close range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most likely take place at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and stress-free occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you call me at (727) 455-5510 or e-mail me at .