Buying or selling a home in Needham?

Purchasing a home is a stressful event for a lot of people, but with some planning ahead of time, it's not that hard. I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the entire deal so they understand exactly what to expect. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
Before you begin your home search, there are a lot of things you need to consider. You'll most likely want to assemble an index of features you need to have, get a plan of what school districts you'd like to live in, and start planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is no more than 1/3 of your net monthly income is a good rule to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd be happy to arrange a time to get together with you and talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Needham area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Needham, and I partner with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They can help you figure out which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start your search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin searching for houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll preview many of the houses and remove the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll show you the good features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and don't like. For the most part, buyers change their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some items become far more substantial than others. If that's the case, I'll search the listings again and narrow it down to the house of your dreams.

Step 4 – Understand the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Needham home market is a crucial aspect in your house search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can let you know what neighborhoods are "hot" and require prompt action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for more examination.

As we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the seller's list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Any real estate agent in Needham will tell you they truly know the housing market, but take note, and make sure you ask your agent lots of questions. If things don't add up, contact me at (617) 799-3326 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream house
We'll find the house of your dreams in Needham, and when we do, I'll precisely develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as getting financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clear title.

Upon presenting your purchase offer, you'll likely want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts don't close on the beginning offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it intimidate you. We'll discuss whether or not to accept the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market circumstances will play a large role in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
After we sign the final contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it shouldn't take very long at all, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll handle all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your loan application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and stress-free event.

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, just contact me at (617) 799-3326 or e-mail me at .