The Buying Process

The idea of coming from out of town and trying to figure out that you want to live here is hard enough. Then you realize that you want to buy a home that suits your lifestyle and the only thing you can think of is “How do I find good REALTOR. Thtat’s in caps because it’s trademarked.

Anyway, you decide that this is the place. First off, good decision. Great place to live. Next you want an agent. That’s short for REALTOR. I don’t like the Caps key. It keeps screwing up my typing. So you are here at my site and you are wondering if I am the right agent to help you find your home. The first thing you should do is go and read my Bio. I will never let you down and I will always work hard and always on your behalf. Sure I mke commission, but my integrity comes first and foremost. Enough of the sales pitch. Let’s talk process.

1. You call me up and we have a discussion. I try to understand what you are looking for. Not just how many bedrooms or baths, but things like: Do you want tall trees in your yard? Do you want a view of the forest or high up over roof tops? Do you want to be near a trail, or a lake? Fast access to wide roads? Near downtown?
2. I will use the Multiple Listing Service site and extract properties that I think meet your needs. I call you to set up a time to go through them.
3. We have a second call and discuss whether the listing I have sent you reflect your needs. I make adjustments and take another pass through the MLS. I send more listings. WE have another call.
4. At some point you have chosen the listings you like and you let me know what they are.
5. Now I am going to ask you if you are really serious. This means that if you are, I am going to do some serious research. Flood plain? Back taxes owed? Original price paid so we know one more piece of information to use in negotiations. I will go and preview the homes. I will try to find out the sellers expectations.
6. You now need to get prequalified. In today’s market you need to understand two things. To make an offer you need a prequalification from a bank that says you can afford the house you are bidding on. This is called a Loan Service Request.
7. The second thing you need to understand in this market is that offers based upon selling your current home before you can buy the new one puts you at a big disadvantage. Think about how you would react to an offer on your home for sale that was contingent upon the buyer selling their home in Buffalo New York. Not that there’s anything wrong with Buffalo New York.
8. So, you need to go to your bank or mortgage broker and get prequalified. If you don’t have one, I have several that I can refer you to.
9. Now, you have to come here. I can help with making this easy. I’ll find you an inexpensive place and get you around to the various homes.
10. Then we talk about what house to make an offer on.
11. I work up the terms and conditions and we discuss the offer price.
12. We make the offer.
13. They accept.
14. We get an inspector.
15. We prepare for closing.
16. We read the Public report.
17. We read the C C $ R’s if there is an HOA.
18. We go to C.O.E. and you now have a home.
19. If you need help finding a mover, a decorator, whatever, I will be there for you.