Getting Started

You will meet with one of our team members to assess your requirements, expectations and budget to narrow your home search and review details of how we can assist you.

This step will include the following:

		Assess your needs
		Define your search criteria
		Present your criteria to our team
		Present you with a preliminary list of properties that meet your criteria
		Set up you up with your own private site which you could access with a login and password to easily manage and track what we do and what you need every step of the process

The Searching Phase

We will send you a list of properties based on your criteria. We will also review property features that may affect the current and future value.

This step will include the following:

		Provide you with information for comparable home prices in the area.
		Set up appointments to show you properties that are of interest to you
		Post appointment schedules and properties that are of interest to you on your private site
		Send you alerts about scheduled appointments and new properties that meet your criteria

Making an Offer

Once you have chosen a property and are ready to make an offer, we help you in the following:

		Review and share all disclosure statements and provide you with a written estimate of your closing costs
		Investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property
		Prepare a negotiating strategy and offer for the best value
		Ensure any verbal agreements are documented
		Prepare a written offer on your behalf
		Help you select an attorney if you do not already have one

Attorney Review & Title Work

When the offer has been accepted by both parties, the next step is to prepare the contracts, each party to sign contracts and send copies to their respective attorneys.

The moment each party’s attorneys receive the signed contracts, this time period is called “Attorney Review”. Attorney review period is when each attorney overlooks the standard contract and makes amendments and or clarifications based on your individual purchase. attorney review generally lasts 3 business dayss

Once both parties and their attornies have accepted changes made to the contract in attorney review, the deal will officially be under contract. At this point the sales contract does become binding. This is also often referred to as “being in escrow”.

Home Inspection

Within a week of being under contract, we will hire a licensed home inspector to come to the property to check and test multiple parameters of the home including, but not limited to, appliances, electrical wiring, foundation, roofing, siding, structure, and presence of termites and or radon.

		Review with you inspections that have to be made
		Provide with a list of recommended inpection companies
		Review the results of all inspection reports with you

Mortgage & Financials

Because we understand the stresses of buying your home, we will be sure to help make your home buying process is as smooth as it can be by supporting you every step of the way and keeping on top of each step needed in order for you to have a successful closing.

		We will notify you to make your initial deposit within 10 days of being under contract
		We will review with you all estimated costs and financials
		We will assist with lender selection and arranging a pre-qualification meeting with a mortgage lender**
		Appraisal
		Mortgage Commitment

Lender Selection: When choosing a mortgage lender, try and choose a lender with whom you will obtain a mortgage within 10 days of being under contract. Ask the lender to provide you with a good faith estimate which will outline a very close estimate of what charges will be expected on their end for your mortgage. Examples of some fees include, but are not limited to, Origination fees, documentation fees, underwriting fees, appraisal. Also remember to lock in your rate with your lender so as to prevent any surprises from fluctuations in what you will pay.

Appraisal: The appraisal will be performed shortly after you have selected your lender and completed their loan application. It will be performed by a licensed appraiser who, contracted by the mortgage company, will assess the value of the home to safeguard and ensure that the home is worth what the lender is giving out a mortgage for. This is typically done within a week of choosing your lender.

Mortgage commitment: Within 21 days of being under contract, your lender will provide you and your attorney with a commitment letter, basically indicating that they have performed a check on your financials, have received paperwork they requested from you, and are willing to fund the loan for your purchase. If for any reason, this process, known as underwriting, should take longer, we will need to notify the attorney so that he may notify the other party in writing.

The Closing Phase

The final step is to prepare for the closing. In this step, we will help you with the following:

		Arrange for movers
		Utility Transfer
		Certificate of Occupancy
		Home Insurance
		Walk Thru
		Attend the closing and assist you in resolving any issues that may arise
		Contact you after the closing to follow-up on any remaining details and services you may need

Movers and Packers: when preparing for the closing phase, one of the arrangements that need to be coordinated is your move. If you are using movers and need help in some recommended movers, we will provide you with names of movers that we've used that can also help you with your move.

Utility transfer: About a week prior to closing, you will need to call the gas, electric, and telephone companies to let them know to transfer over utilities in your name. We will provide you with all pertinent contact info so that you may make the transfer arrangements.

Certificate of Occupancy: Prior to closing, the seller and their agent will procure a certificate of occupancy, which is a fire official’s certification of the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors within the house. This is mandatory prior to closing and we will be checking to make sure this is completed

Home Insurance: A few days prior to closing, you will need to get a home insurance policy. Not only is it important for you to obtain as a homeowner, mortgage companies require you to obtain one prior to closing.

Walk Thru: On the date of the closing, we will take you on a walk thru where we will revisit the home to have one last check on it. At this time we will go through a sanity check on the home - making certain that all personal belongings were removed and any repairs that were needed to be made in home inspections were completed.

Attend the Closing: We will then head over to the attorney’s office to close on both the mortgage and the deed of the home. Your attorney will call you in the morning of the closing to establish how much (in certified funds) to bring to the closing. The closing typically takes about 1-2 hrs and will be completed with the transfer of deed and keys to you.

We will be with you along the entire process and will be available at all times for any questions you may have. With communication and timely response to all and any issues arising, we will be able to have a smooth and successful home buying process.

We look forward to working with you!!