Buying or selling a home?

Purchasing a home is stressful for many people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't too difficult. So they'll understand exactly what they can expect, I like to give buyers an outline of the whole deal. These 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 happy to answer any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
There are several things you'll want to do before you start searching for a home. You'll want to form an outline of features you want to have, get a feeling for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. A good rule to follow is that your mortgage payment should be a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. I'd be happy to book a time to get together 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 everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Colorado Springs area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll assist you with getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Colorado Springs, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start house-hunting
After we meet for the first time, I'll start finding houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll preview many of the houses and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll book appointments to view the homes when it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll show you the positive features and bad ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and don't like. It's widely common for buyers to update their wish list as we view houses and some items become more necessary than others. If that's the case, I'll go back through all the listings once again and trim it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Understand the housing market
Your agent's knowledge of the Colorado Springs housing market is an essential factor in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will alert you to what areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for more consideration.

When we view homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask a lot of questions, as every REALTOR in Colorado Springs will convince you they comprehend the market. If things don't add up, contact me at 7195286672 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I'm positive we'll find the house of your dreams in the Colorado Springs area. When that happens, I'll carefully create your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When we submit your offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's most often applied to the closing costs. 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
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the beginning offer, and it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it intimidate you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions will play a vital role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a deal that is best for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
Once the contract is finalized, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It shouldn't take very long at all if you've been pre-qualified, but you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.

Then we'll close on your home. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and stress-free affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, be sure to call me at 7195286672 or e-mail me at .