Buyer's Guide

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

After our initial consultation, I will:

• Help you establish your budget and connect you with a reputable lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage
• Discuss your needs and goals, and plan your property search criteria
• Provide coaching on the best time to buy
• Agree upon the parameters of our working relationship

Once the criteria and budget are established, I will:

• Coordinate showings for properties that meet your needs and explain/negotiate features
• Keep you informed of new properties that come on the market that would interest you
• Help you understand the market data for any properties of interest
• Work with you until you find the right home

When we’ve found your dream home, I will:

• Assist in determining your offer, including developing a multiple-offer strategy
• Review and discuss details of the seller’s disclosure
• Apply my expertise in negotiating the offer and contract terms in your best interests
• Facilitate the home inspection and resolution process
• Offer information on reliable contractors and service providers
• Prepare you for closing and the associated costs
• Provide clear and constant communication to keep you updated on the progress of your transaction

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. My negotiations and extensive experience, along with my escrow and title officers ensure a smooth and reliable escrow process by knowing exactly what to look for, identify or resolve, before and during your closing. Rest assured, I'll be by your side every step of the way until we reach the finish line. I won’t be working alone either, with my representation you have the advantage of world class regulatory compliance, file checking and legal accountability with the power of Coldwell Banker a globally respected Industry leader awarded world most ethical companies the past 14 years.