Are you buying your new home in Mount Holly? Scott Farmer Properties, Inc. can help.
For most people, buying a home can be a stressful event. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it's not all that hard.
So they understand exactly what they can expect, I'll furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal.
These are my nine steps to buying a home.
When you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address questions you have regarding this information.
Step 1 – Prepare to buy
There are several things you need to consider before you search for a home.
You'll most likely want to form a list of must-have features, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget.
A good principle to follow is that your mortgage payment should be less than 1/3 of your net monthly income.
Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Mount Holly
This is where I can help.
I'd be more than happy to schedule a time to get together with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans.
We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Mount Holly area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future.
In addition, I'll assist you in getting started on your loan.
Scott Farmer Properties, Inc. works with some of Mount Holly's finest mortgage professionals, so you'll be in great hands.
They can assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.
Step 3 – Start looking for a house
Following our first meeting, I'll start finding homes on the market that are a great fit for you.
I'll research many of the houses and remove the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses when it's most convenient for you.
When we view the houses, I'll call attention to positive features, as well as bad ones. I'll even ask you to point out what things you like and don't like.
As a rule, buyers revise their wish list as we view houses and some features become far more substantial than others.
If that's the situation, I'll look through the listings once again and narrow it down to the house you've been wishing for.
Step 4 – Know the housing market
My understanding of the Mount Holly market is an imperative element in your home search. I'm conscious of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to certain neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and others that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.
When we tour houses, I'll make sure to communicate when the asking price has room for negotiation and also when I believe the house is "priced to sell."
When working with an agent, be on guard and make sure you ask lots of questions. Every real estate agent will tell you they know the market.
If it seems like they don't know everything, just call me at 704-747-6605 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest through the entire process.
Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm certain we'll find the house of your dreams in Mount Holly. When we do, I'll carefully create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are obtaining financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.
When we send in your purchase offer, most likely you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts don't close on the initial offer. It's really common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm you. We'll talk about whether or not to agree to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.
The state of the market will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the contract.
In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll create a contract that is best for you.
Step 7 – Obtain a loan
After we sign the final sales contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan.
If you're pre-qualified, it won't be a long process at all, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender.
And I'll manage all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of accepting your loan application.
The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a precise range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.
Then it's time to close on your house. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and calm occurrence.
Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, simply contact me at 704-747-6605 or e-mail me at .