Buying Real Estate

Discussing your budget with a trusted advisor who can guide you through the details and variable expenses necessary to home ownership and/or investment for the type of property you are buying can help prepare you and ultimately keep you financially comfortable with your purchase.

Many buyers go through the frustrating process of watching homes they think they will love come up for sale only to watch it go under contract before the end of the day.  Having a clear vision of what the market has to offer and a professional partner who's job it is to do the groundwork and get information on the home and into it fast is imperative in a desirable, fast-moving market.  Taking the time to sit down and explore your wants and needs with someone who knows the market intimately at the beginning of your search will pay dividends in the process.  A professional agent can help you focus on only the best homes for your needs and acts as an extension of you during your market search.  Ultimately having a ready and agile agent can prove invaluable to getting you in a deal for the most desirable properties.

Did you know that not all lenders are created equally?  Just like with any business, products, fees and abilities change between companies and individuals.  Having a trusted advisor to educate you on the process and fees associated with lending can save you time, money, and sometimes the entire deal.  A quick conversation can equip you with the knowledge necessary to ask the right questions of your lender, or better yet, just have your trusted agent sit down with you and lender if you are comfortable.  If they are experts, they know the right questions to ask to protect your interests.

Looking for your best fit property is by far one of the most exciting times in the process.  It's important to have all of the information publicly and privately available about the property you're exploring as well as an educated opinion about the numbers if you're searching for an investment.  A strong professional knows the different pieces of information that are most important given the property you are looking at and will have them close at hand so that you can make a confident decision to move forward when you find "the one".

In an offer to purchase real estate EVERYTHING matters.  Many states have "buyer beware" laws that legally limit recourse for buyers if they purchase a property with issues that they did not consider, and consideration of these potential hazards needs to start before offering on a home.  The details and contingencies of a contract to purchase can determine whether your offer beats out a competing offer but also, and some may think more importantly, whether you have the time and leverage to properly investigate and renegotiate while under contract.  Experts in the field can quickly assess the situation and home to determine the factors at play and give you the best advice and construction of a purchase contract given the opportunity you are pursuing.  

Proper investigation of the home by qualified contractors given the systems and features of a home as well as the interpretation and potential renegotiation of their findings are some of the most emotionally taxing and potentially confusing steps in the entire home buying process.  Everyone wants to believe that the home they are buying is going to "sail through" inspections, but if we're being honest, that rarely happens.  Knowing what needs to be investigated, having trustworthy vendors to do the inspections and potential repair estimates, and being able to navigate a client through this treacherous time while negotiating on their behalf is one of the most important roles for an experienced buyer representative.

Yes, even attorneys make mistakes.  Having experience in reviewing the legal set of documents associated with purchasing a home and being an "extra set of eyes" is an irreplaceable aspect of your agent.  A good agent reviews many of the documents you will be signing for any mistakes, misalignments or extra fees and can help you understand the documentation requirements of third parties such as lenders as needed. Final interpretation of legal language should always be left to attorneys, but a good agent can offer you perspective based on experience which, in many cases, can be equally as valuable. Seasoned professionals work with these documents regularly and can be in your corner when you need their support and insight.

The settlement date of your property is another very exciting and rewarding time in the journey.  This is the day when you sit down and make everything official.  Settlement in the 21st century can be as formal or convenient as you like.  You can literally settle at a coffee shop or in an attorney's office, but don't let the informality of the setting confuse you, the documents you're signing are perhaps some of the most important you'll ever sign.  Review, review, review!

A seasoned professional has the contacts and experience to give you insight on everything from moving companies to utility hook-ups.  Don't let the most rewarding day in the journey turn into a nightmare because of improper planning.  Your agent should have a step-by-step list of the actions you need to take when moving into your new home.