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Buying
Steve listens! He has worked with hundreds of home buyers through his 20+years of experience in the real estate profession. He knows the areas well.
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Sit down with Steve for a consultation to discuss and answer any and all questions.
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Obtain a pre-approval for a mortgage – see Mortgage Calculator on this site to get an idea of your purchasing power. Ask Steve for recommendations for a written pre-approval, if needed.
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Identify your wants and needs. What town(s) pique my interest? How many bedrooms/bathrooms do I need? Commute distance? Transportation, Amenities – Shopping, Schools, Transportation, Restaurants, Community events, etc. Click here for a form to assist with this process.
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When you’re ready, Steve will sit down with you to assist with writing an offer. He will research what has sold in your area and work with you to determine a price you are comfortable with.
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Send the contract and down payment to your lawyer. Steve can suggest lawyers in the area, if needed. Your lawyer will order a Title Insurance Policy prior to closing. Title insurance ensures that there are no liens on the property.
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Once the offer is accepted and you are under contract with the seller:
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​Day of closing - you will be given a copy of any keys, garage door openers, etc. You may want to ask for any paperwork available relating to appliances, instructions, etc. You may want to change the locks.
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Too Busy to Meet? Many of these procedures can be done online, including signing with electronic signatures.
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Contact Steve for a consultation. Let’s begin the process of finding your dream home!
Step 1. Most Sellers require pre-approval for financing. Meeting with two or three lenders will help you decide who will be the best fit.
Step 2. Gather all of needed documents your lender requests. Be quick to respond to any additional needs and understand they are working on your behalf.
Step 3. Once you have been preapproved, have your lender provide the preapproval letter. This letter shows the seller that you have been vetted financially while giving you an idea of how much you can afford.
a. A Home Inspection is recommended (see Resources for referrals/suggestions if needed). This can be waived by the Buyer if wanted. The Home Inspection should include a termite and radon inspection, tank sweep and sewer scope.
b. Continue to follow-up with any mortgage requirements not met.
c. Have an appraisal of the property done – your mortgage company will set this up.
d. Have home inspection items satisfied to clear for closing. Your attorney will be involved in this.
e. Homeowners insurance policy – you must have this before you can close. Steve can recommend companies/agencies.
f. Final walk-through is done “day prior” or “day of” closing to be sure the property is in acceptable condition.
Pre-Approval for Financing
Seller’s expect Agents to open their homes only to those who are qualified in advance to purchase a home. Plus, if you find that perfect home, you need to be ready to get an offer in, which you can’t do without financing approvals. So, here are the first 3 steps to show you are serious:
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Step 1. Meet with two or three financial institutions/agents so you can decide on the best fit.
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Step 2. Gather all of needed documents your lender requests. Be quick to respond to any additional needs and understand they are working on your behalf.
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Step 3. Once you have been preapproved, have your lender provide the preapproval letter. This letter shows the seller that you have been vetted financially while giving you an idea of how much you can afford.