HOW TO BUY A HOME

• Absorb their local insight
• Get to know neighborhood inventory levels
• See what's about to hit the market
• Gain access to off-market properties
• Review market averages
• Complete needs assessment

• Understand what you can afford
• Use this site's  MORTGAGE CALCULATOR to determine your monthly payment.
• Calculate  DEBT-TO-RATIO  formula
• Prepare for escrow
• Obtain a pre-approval letter

• Compare home and neighborhood averages, then narrow down the neighborhoods you want to live in
• Favorite homes and save them to collections
• Nix homes that don't meet the mark
• Schedule home tours and plan an itinerary with your agent
• Decide on your dream home

• Review contract terms and time limit for offer
• Negotiate purchase price
• Choose a title company
• Shop home insurance options
• Prepare for down payment, earnest money
• Choose a target closing date
• Sign the offer
• Deliver escrow check
• Stay in close contact with your agent

• Secure a home loan
• Acquire home insurance and send proof to your lender
• Request a list of what conveys with the property
• Schedule home inspection and negotiate repairs
• Order an appraisal
• Acquire a property disclosure from the seller
• Neutralize any  contingencies  (input contingencies that may be specific to your area)
• Conduct a title search
• Choose your title company
• Schedule your closing
• Solidify both contract effective date and allowable move-in dates
• Certify funds for closing
• Stay in close contact with your agent, lender, and title company.

• Transfer funds for closing
• Reserve a moving company and set a moving date
• Change your address through USPS, your bank, and other instances
• Set up your utilities to be activated or transferred
• Confirm that all contingencies are resolved
• Schedule the final property walk-through
• Designate a safe, dedicated space to save your final paperwork
• Stay in close contact with your agent, lender, and title company

• Connect with your lender to wire down payment funds.  You'll need to  cover the cost of closing and the down payment.  Bring a printed confirmation of your wire transfer.
• Government-issued photo ID(s)
• Social Security numbers
• Home addresses from the last 10 years
• Proof of homeowners insurance
• Your copy of the contract
• Your checkbook

• Sign closing disclosure, promissory note, and all other documentation
• Title transfer
• Deed delivery
• Save your paperwork in a pre-designated spot
• Get your keys--congrats, it's all yours!

"I'm happy to help!"