Preparing to Shop for a Home?


Everything you need to begin the process of buying a home. For valuable information and advice you'll want beforehand.

Buying Process

Whether your dream home is new construction or an existing home, you will want to know what to look for as you begin your home search. You will need a checklist for buying a home to serve as your roadmap with criteria for buying a home.

Check out the list below and find out how Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate will help you conduct a home search, negotiate, and close on a new home. Your Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate will help you with the process of buying a home while representing your best interests throughout the purchase process.

 

Use the home buyer checklist below to prevent errors and to stay on track:

  • Get pre-approved for a mortgage, look into credit report, FICO score, type of mortgage, shop for best rates, and programs. Determine your wants and needs: style of home, size, price, location
  • Seek out a Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate Compare the services of different agents and look for good personal chemistry
  • Check out the neighborhoods, schools, crime rate, traffic, zoning, and work commutes
  • Rely on your Sales Associate's expertise and in-company resources
  • Check the Web for helpful information
  • Do the due diligence and research on your property of interest
  • Visit or have your agent visit the town or city hall to learn of any zoning changes, liens, easements, or other restrictions.
  • Prepare the offer and negotiate
  • Have your Sales Associate prepare a property value study and ask the seller if there are any other offers and his motivation for selling, deadlines, etc.
  • Conduct the home inspections and other inspections
  • Take advantage of the inspection contingencies in your offer and get thorough inspections to eliminate any surprises after you move in to your new home
  • Final negotiations
  • Use the inspection report to re-negotiate, if necessary
  • Walk-through inspection prior to closing
  • Visit your new home before you sit down at the closing table to make sure everything is as you expect it to be. You many find that you need to add some steps, based on your special situation, to create a customized home buying checklist for yourself. However, this should serve as a helpful guide as you start on the road to purchasing your dream home

Buying Process

Congratulations! You've made the decision to buy a new home!
Once you've made your list, contact your Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate to begin the home buying process. Be assured that by choosing a Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate you will find a professionally trained, experienced agent to offer you agency representation options and full service.

Your Sales Associate can put you in contact with a few mortgage brokers so you can be pre-approved for a mortgage even before starting the house hunting process. Although the pre-approval is not a final loan commitment, the pre-approval letter will demonstrate your financial strength and ability to go through with the purchase when you are ready to make an offer.

Your Sales Associate can provide detailed information on almost any property currently listed for sale. This includes Discover Properties, LLC listings as well as all other real estate broker listings on the Multiple Listing Service. In addition, your sales associate can also provide information on homes that you see advertised for sale in the newspaper or online. This also includes information on properties that are advertised "For Sale by Owner." Your Discover Properties, LLC is the only resource you'll need.

The next step: you've found a home and you're ready to make an offer!
The initial step will be to instruct your Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate to make an offer. The paperwork process can vary. Please check with your Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate to determine the regional differences, as some areas use Offer to Purchase Forms and others use Fill-in-the-Blank Contracts for Sale.

Typically, you will provide your Sales Associate with the following information for them to relay to the seller's associate regarding the paperwork required in their marketplace:

  • The amount you are willing to pay
  • Mortgage amount
  • Closing and occupancy dates
  • Contingencies, such as obtaining a mortgage, building inspections, and pest inspections to include where appropriate (but not limited to): termite, pest, radon, water potability, well, lead, septic, oil tank, etc.

Any personal property specifically included or excluded if the offer is not acceptable to the seller, further negotiations may be necessary to reach terms agreeable to both buyer and seller. Because counter-offers are common (any change in the offer can be considered a counter-offer) it is important that you remain in close contact with your Discover Properties, LLC Sales Associate during the negotiation process so that proposed changes can be reviewed and responded to quickly.

You have an Acceptable Offer!
Since the Contract writing procedure, down payments required, building inspection contingency dates, etc. varies, please consult with your Sales Associate so that they can inform you of the immediate action steps. Timing is critical at this stage!

Between Contract and Closing
Our exclusive Concierge program was developed to assist you with the services you need before, during, and after your move. From moving companies and new community information, to home improvement services we're here to help you every step of the way. Please see the Concierge section within this Web site for further details.

Our exclusive Concierge program was developed to assist you with the services you need before, during, and after your move. From moving companies and new community information, to home improvement services we're here to help you every step of the way. Please see the Concierge section within this Web site for further details.

What to expect at the closing
The closing is a formal process where all parties sign all of the necessary paperwork needed to complete the transaction Title so the property is transferred from the seller to you. The seller receives payment for the home, and you receive the house keys! From the amount credited to the seller, the title representative subtracts the funds to pay off the existing mortgage and other transaction costs. Deeds, loan papers, and other documents are prepared, signed, and ultimately filed with local property record office.

After the closing
At closing and beyond, our Concierge service is here to assist you with all the details as you move into your new home! Please be sure to visit the Concierge Services section of our Web site.



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