Buying or selling a home in Dunedin ?

Buying a home is a stressful event for most people, but with a bit of planning ahead of time, it isn't too hard. I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the entire deal so they'll know exactly what to expect. Below 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 happy to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are many things you should do before you search for a home. It's likely that you'll want to form a check list of items you need, get a feeling for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin working on your budget. A good guideline to go by is that your mortgage payment should be close to a third of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Dunedin
That's where I can help. I'd be happy to set up a time to meet with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Dunedin area.

In addition, I'll help you begin the loan process. I partner with some of the finest mortgage professionals in Dunedin , so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll assist you in figuring out which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start house hunting
After we meet, I'll begin searching for available homes on the market that suit your needs. I'll research many of the houses and reject the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes when it's convenient for you.

As we view the homes, I'll show you the good features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and dislike. It's widely common for buyers to change their must-have list as we tour homes and some things become more important than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings once more and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
An agent's knowledge of the Dunedin housing market is a necessary component in your home search. And I assure you I'm conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I will let you know what neighborhoods are "hot" and demand prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for more examination.

When we view houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has room for negotiation and also when I think the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and make sure you ask lots of questions, as any REALTOR will claim to truly understand the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, just call me at (727) 455-5510 or e-mail me at , and I'd be happy to answer your questions. My market knowledge will keep you a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
We'll find the home of your dreams in the Dunedin area, and when that happens, I'll thoroughly create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including some contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

When submitting your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure an offer to buy the property, and it's typically put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close on the property within 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 beginning offer – it's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll create a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Obtain a loan
Upon completion of the contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, this shouldn't take long at all, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

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

Then we'll close on your house. This will probably happen at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and pleasant occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at (727) 455-5510 or e-mail me at .