USING A WINDERMERE AGENT TO
HELP YOU FIND A HOME
Whatever your reasons for buying, know that finding the right home, in the perfect neighborhood and at a cost that is within your budget, is no small task. That's why many buyers enlist the help of a full-service Windermere agent. There are many benefits you receive from working with a licensed professional with specialized skills:
AS YOUR WINDERMERE AGENT:
❱ I know the local market and can quickly narrow it down to a few areas where you are likely to find your home at the price you want.
❱ I can save you time by doing a lot of the legwork. By knowing your needs, I can eliminate homes that do not meet your criteria.
❱ I will make appointments, preview homes with you and help you determine the pros and cons of each home.
❱ I can help you maximize online home search tools available to you on Windermere.com.
❱ I can provide information and make appointments to see almost any property listed for sale. A home does not have to be listed by a Windermere agent in order for me to get detailed information or an appointment to view.
❱ Once you find the home you want to buy, I will guide you through the negotiation, legalities and details of purchasing a home.
BEGINNING THE PROCESS
Organization is the key to finding the home you want while spending the least amount of time and energy.
It’s always best to find out how much house you can afford before you go house-hunting. I can refer you to a loan officer who can assist you with determining how much of a down payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment you can handle.
Make a list of everything you want in a home. Is a master suite important? How many bathrooms? What about closet space? Do you need a yard for the kids and pets to play in? How about a fireplace or a bay window? Do you prefer a rambler or a multiple-story house? Are schools or access to public transportation important?
Separate the essentials from the items you could do without and put them on the “A” list. Prioritize the rest of the items into a second and third list in order of importance. We’ll then go over the lists so that I’m very clear on what you want and need in your home.
Keep good notes as we look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to which home. I can provide you with a form and rating system to help you compare homes.
When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs.
Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you.
As your Windermere agent, I’ll check with you regularly, even if you haven’t yet found the home that’s right for you. Keeping in contact allows us to establish a good rapport, and helps me learn how to help you effectively. I’ll continue to
HOW MUCH HOME CAN YOU AFFORD?
Before you start looking at homes, it’s a good idea to find a target price range that you can afford. A mortgage lender will want to make sure you can handle the down payment, plus a monthly mortgage payment made up of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI).
Interest rates and your personal finances will influence the amount of house you can afford. That’s why it’s always good to talk to a lender before you start shopping for a home. I can refer you to lenders suited to your specific financial needs. There are a wide variety of loan programs available to buyers. I can give you the names of several mortgage specialists who can review all of your options with you.
In order to plan properly, you need to understand what lenders are looking for from a borrower. There are three factors that help determine if you qualify for home financing:
YOUR INCOME
YOUR ASSETS
YOUR CREDIT HISTORY
Most loan programs require you to verify all of your income sources. Your mortgage consultant will let you know what documentation is needed. Typically, you will need to provide pay stubs and your W-2, and if you are self-employed, you may need to provide copies of your tax returns.
The required down payment varies according to the loan program. There are several affordable options for borrowers. Closing costs are associated with finalizing the transaction and include the appraisal fee, loan origination fee, title insurance, escrow services and legal recording of documents. Each loan is different, so it is important to discuss these fees with a mortgage expert.
All lenders review a borrower’s credit history to determine the type of credit used, the amount owed and the borrower’s history of repaying debt.
When you speak with your mortgage professional to figure out how much home you can afford, it’s also a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage before we start your home search. This will help us narrow your home search to a price range that’s comfortable for you, and being pre-approved also makes for a stronger offer in the eyes of sellers.
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
Once you’ve found the home you want to buy, together we’ll complete a purchase and sale agreement. This is the contract in which you and the seller outline the details of the property transfer. The purchase and sale agreement usually consists of the following pages:
❱ Earnest money receipt
❱ Financing addendum
❱ Inspection addendum
❱ Conditions/disclosure addendum
❱ Contingency addendum, when appropriate
❱ Addendum outlining special conditions
❱Lead-based paint notification, when appropriate
In selected areas, the following forms will also be part of your agreement:
❱ Agency disclosure form
❱ Property disclosure form completed by the property seller
❱ Local area disclosures
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE-QUALIFIED AND PRE-APPROVED?
These terms refer to your status in the loan approval process. Pre-qualification is a determination of your probable ability to obtain a loan. To become pre-qualified, meet with a loan officer or mortgage company. They will help you determine the price you can afford, based on your monthly income and your current debts, as well as the cash you have for a down payment.
Pre-approval means that the mortgage lender has already verified and approved your credit and income. Obtaining pre-approval early in the process will make your offer more attractive to the seller.
WHAT ARE CLOSING COSTS?
Closing costs are charges paid to various entities during the real estate transaction. They can include escrow fees, document preparation fees, the cost of an inspection, and lender fees.
WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY?
Earnest money is a “good faith” deposit submitted with your offer to show the sellers that you are serious about purchasing their home. Earnest money is a required part of an offer. There is no set amount that is required, but the amount sometimes makes a difference in the negotiation process. Earnest money eventually becomes part of the purchase, and will show as a credit to the buyers on the settlement statement drawn up by the escrow company.
WHAT IS A POINT?
A point is equal to one percent of the loan principal. Some lenders charge points, in addition to interest and fees, at closing.
WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE?
Title insurance protects against loss from any defects in the legal title, liens against the property or other adverse claims. The lender usually requires title insurance.
HOME INSPECTIONS
When you’re ready to complete a purchase and sale agreement on a home, your offer will generally be contingent on a professional inspection of the entire property—including improvements. The home inspector looks beyond the cosmetics to make sure that the home’s general systems operate properly. The inspector will also look for large repairs that are needed and report on the condition of the home.
The standard home inspector’s report will review the conditions of the home’s heating and cooling systems; interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement and visible structure. The inspector will also look for cracks in cement walls, water stains that indicate leakage, and any indication of wood rot.
A home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.
As your Windermere agent, I’m familiar with home inspection services and can provide you with a list of names from which to choose. Another good way to find a home inspector is to ask a friend, or perhaps a business acquaintance, who has had a home inspection and can recommend a home inspector they were satisfied with.
Remember, no home is perfect. If problems are found, I will help you negotiate through the process.
SETTLEMENT & CLOSING
During the negotiation stage of the transaction, a mutually agreed-upon date for closing is determined. “Closing” is when you and the seller sign all the paperwork and pay your share of the settlement fees, and the documents are recorded. Settlement obligations vary widely due to specific contract language, local laws and customs. Prior to closing, the closing agent (usually an escrow or title company or attorney) will complete a detailed settlement statement for both buyer and seller. As your Windermere agent, I can help you understand which of the following typical settlement fees apply to you.
THE BUYER RECEIVES:
❱ Credit toward buyer closing costs or the purchase
price for any earnest money deposited
THE BUYER PAYS:
❱ One-half of escrow or legal fees paid to the
attorney or escrow company for preparing the
closing (in California, the party paying escrow
fees varies from county to county)
❱ Document preparation fees, if applicable
❱ Recording and notary fees, if applicable
❱ Title search and title insurance*
❱ Local transfer taxes*
❱ Loan fees
❱ Appraisal fees
❱ Credit report fees
❱ Home Owners Association fees, if applicable*
*Paid by either the seller or the buyer
