|
|
|
|
|
Step 1 - Make the Decision to Buy |
|
It seems obvious, but it's good to note that the first step to buying a house is making the decision whether you want to buy in and around the Saint Petersburg, Florida area. Consider the reasons you want a new house and write them down. Consider how long you want to live in St Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater or another city in the Tampa Bay area. Does buying still make good financial sense? Can you afford a house that will meet your list of requirements? A good rule of thumb is your mortgage payment should not exceed 1/3 of your net monthly income.
|
|
Step 2 - Seek Professional Guidance |
| First, I want to meet with you to discuss the reasons you want to buy a house and your plans for the future. We'll talk in details about what items are important to you like neighborhoods, schools, beaches, lakes, shopping, cultural and sporting activities and transportation logistics as well as economic factors that may affect the market today and tomorrow.
I will help you get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. Pre-qualification is a written statement from a loan officer indicating his or her opinion that you will be approved for a mortgage loan up to a certain amount. Keep in mind that although you may be pre-qualified for a specific amount, we will be looking for homes that fit your criteria and are actually lower than that amount. The fact that you are pre-qualified will help us when we are negotiating the sales price.
|
|
Step 3 - Begin the Hunt |
| After our initial meeting, I will search all my resources for properties on the market within the area or areas that fit your criteria. I will then schedule appointments to tour the houses at times convenient for you.
As we tour houses, I'll point out positive and negative features. I'll ask you to tell me what you like and what you don't like. You'll probably amend your "wish list" as we tour houses, some things will become more important and others less important. With this new information, I'll refine our search criteria to narrow in on the house of your dreams.
|
|
Step 4 - Know the Market |
| My knowledge of the current local real estate market is an essential factor in the house search. I not only work, but also live within the surrounding area. I know the cities and neighborhoods throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Pasco County and can make suggestions based on your needs and desires. I will let you know when the market in a particular neighborhood is "hot" and requires immediate action or when the market is "cool" and allows for thoughtful consideration.
As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has negotiating room and when the house is "priced to sell". As your realtor representative, my real estate market knowledge, instinct and diligence will provide you solid options for buying a home, keeping you ahead of others which is especially important in today's "buyer's market".
In a "seller's market" it is not unusual to see multiple offers on a property, full-price offers and even above-price offers. However, since we are in a "buyer's market" which means there are more houses for sale than buyers, this gives us more negotiating room to find the right home at the right price as houses are taking longer to sell. Larger inventory usually equates to fantastic deals on buying real estate.
|
|
Step 5 - Find Your Dream House |
|
I'm confident that together we'll find your dream house, whether it's located in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Seminole, Gulfport, Pinellas Park, Saftety Harbor, Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Tampa, Oldsmar, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington Shores, in a specific neighborhood you desire, or any other city in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas County County. When we do, I'll put together the purchase offer, tailored for your needs, including appropriate contingencies (such as obtaining financing, favorable home inspection, clear title, etc.).
The offer is normally presented with "earnest money". This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is applied to closing costs. If the seller accepts the offer, generally closing is held 30 to 60 days from the offer date, depending on the turn around time of your mortgage financing. Keep in mind, when dealing with bank owned foreclosures or "short sales", this process is often significantly longer.
|
|
Step 6 - Negotiate the Deal |
| It is not uncommon to receive a counter offer when the initial purchase offer is submitted. Don't let this discourage you. We will discuss the counter offer and decide whether or not to accept the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the counter offer and move on.
Market conditions will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We will also work within your limits. Emotions can lead to buyer's remorse. It is better to set limits prior to negotiating an offer and stick to these limits.
|
|
Step 7 - Get a Loan |
|
During the closing period, you will be working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. Since you pre-qualified for the loan before starting your home search, you will be that much closer to the end. I'll gather the necessary property information your lender will need to close the loan.
|
|
Step 8 - Close the Deal |
|
You will receive a "Good Faith Estimate" of closing costs at the time the loan application is submitted to the lender. The estimate is based on the loan officer's past experience and may not include all the closing costs. I will be glad to review the "Good Faith Estimate," answering questions and highlighting missing costs and estimates I believe to be low.
|
|
Step 9 - Move In |
|
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home in the Tampa Bay area!! As your licensed real estate agent, I'll also provide assistance in any way, including a checklist to help you remember the numerous details, that will make your moving day a pleasure.
**********
2012 is a fantastic time to buy property with home loan interest rates at historic lows of less than 4%!
Real Estate market analysts and economic forecasters predict higher property values & sales prices to begin edging up in the last quarter of 2012 as well!
**********
Linda Faucett
Re/Max Action First
Real Estate Consultant
Property Management
727-385-8063
lfaucett@buy-sell4u.com
 
   |
|
 |
|
|
**********
If you have been waivering to buy a home, don't let 2012 pass you by. With interest rates below 4%, there may NEVER be a better time!
Real Estate market analysts and economic forecasters predict higher property values & sales prices to begin edging up in the latter part of 2012 as well!
**********
TESTIMONIAL
"I thought all real estate agents were pretty much alike until I worked with Linda. Linda pointed out some very important home buying issues that concerend my family and financial goals. Without Linda to represent me, I may have made the wrong decision. Linda really does represent you. She had integrity...not just a desire for commision. In fact, she also helped me with several minor details after the closing...now that show you she cares about her clients."
Patrice
Safety Harbor |
|
|
