Buying or selling a home?

Buying a home can be stressful for a lot of people, but it's not too hard with some planning ahead of time. So they understand exactly what they can expect, I will supply buyers with an outline of the whole deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to address any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
There are many things you need to do prior to starting your home search. You'll want to create a checklist of features you want to have, get a plan of what school districts you want to live in, and start working on your budget. A good principle to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd be happy to plan a time to meet with you and speak with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Needham area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that may affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you get started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Needham, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin house-hunting
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin looking for houses on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll research many of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll call attention to positive features and negative ones. I'll even ask you what things you like and don't like. It's pretty common for buyers to amend their must-have list as we view houses and some things become more substantial than others. If that happens, I'll look through the listings again and trim it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
Your agent's awareness of the Needham housing market is an imperative component in your home search. And I can assure you I'm familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can let you know certain neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant prompt action and others that are "cold" and allow for more consideration.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for bargaining and when I know the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be careful and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as every real estate agent will tell you they know the housing market. If things don't add up, call me at (617) 799-3326 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm confident we'll find your dream house in the Needham area. When we do, I'll precisely create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include some contingencies, such as obtaining financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

Upon sending in your offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property and is usually put towards the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals don't close on the initial offer. It's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain a loan
After the contract is complete, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. This won't be a long process at all if you're pre-qualified, but you need to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will furnish you with a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs within three days of getting your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a narrow range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will most likely take place at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and relaxed occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to contact me at (617) 799-3326 or e-mail me at .