Are you contemplating purchasing a home in Colorado Springs?

Buying a home can be stressful for most people, but with a bit of up-front planning, it's not very hard. I like to supply buyers with a road map of the entire deal so they understand exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have any questions regarding this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
There are plenty of things you should consider prior to beginning your home search. You'll probably want to form an index of must-have features, plan for what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning your budget. A good rule of thumb to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around 30 percent of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent in Colorado Springs
This is where Brian L. A. Wess can help. I'd be more than happy to set up a time to meet with you and communicate with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that might affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Colorado Springs area.

I can also help you facilitate the loan process. I work with some of the finest mortgage professionals in Colorado Springs, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you in determining which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start house hunting
After our initial meeting, I'll begin finding available homes on the market that are great for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses when it's convenient for you.

When we view homes, I'll call attention to positive features and bad ones. I'll even ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to amend their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some features become far more essential than others. If that's the case, I'll go back through all the listings once more and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Understand the market
An agent's awareness of the Colorado Springs market is a crucial aspect in your house search. And I assure you I'm informed of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can alert you to what neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful analysis.

When we view houses, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and also when I know the home is "priced to sell." Any REALTOR will claim to understand the home market, but be careful, and make sure you ask lots of questions. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, contact me at 7195286672 or e-mail me at , and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm sure we'll find the home of your dreams in the Colorado Springs area. When that happens, I'll carefully create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as obtaining financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

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

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of deals aren't closed on the first offer – it's really common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to consent to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll compose a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure a loan
Once the contract is finalized, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, this shouldn't take long at all, but you'll need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your loan application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to involve all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

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

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, make sure you call me at 7195286672 or e-mail me at .