Frequently Asked Questions

What are my advantages in buying a home?
There are many benefits such as pride of ownership, an increased sense of security, the ability to make improvements of your choice, and not least of all, tax benefits.

Should I work with many Realtors at the same time to find a home?
Because all Realtors use the same central database and access all of the available listings, one Realtor with whom you feel comfortable will save you time, and you won’t need to be re-qualified each time you work with a new Realtor.

How should we prepare for the first meeting with our Realtor?
Decide what features you have in your present home that you would like in your next home. You should also decide what additional features you would find appealing. Be certain to list all of your income and its sources, as well as all of your debt. This will hasten your qualification process.

How long should it take for us to find the right home for us?
Because the Realtor’s job is to consider your needs and match them with the best house, you may be surprised to discover that you find your next home the very first day that you look.

What am I supposed to do when looking?
Make a list of everything that you like and don’t like as you go through each home. Then, as you travel to the next house, you can review this information with the Realtor.

What specific things should I look for in a home?
Look for features that you would really enjoy. Try to picture in your imagination your family and your furniture in the home.

What questions should I ask about schools?
You would want to know how the state ranks the school(s), test scores, sports programs, gifted and special programs. You may even arrange to visit potential schools.

Is it possible for us to find our dream home?
Yes, however, no house is perfect in every way. There will always be something that is not exactly right or in accordance with criteria. Each home has a multitude of advantages and features. If you are able to get approximately 90% of those features in a specific house, this may be the one for you.

I’m transferring to a new city. What do I do differently in this case?
As a transferee, you should try to get a feel for the entire county and the neighborhoods. This will help you to find an area where you think you would be the most comfortable, before you begin to look at specific houses.

What should I know about the Real Estate Purchase Contract (REPC)?
Ask your Realtor for a sample blank copy of the contract. Review financing, contingencies, inclusions, exclusions, and specific dates of importance.

Do I need to have any inspections on the home?
You should consult with your Realtor about this. We highly recommend obtaining a professional home inspection, and reports about mechanical, electrical, and structural features. (cont. on next page)

Can I add extra inclusions into the contract that are not in the listing?
You should consider the possibility that the sellers had personal or financial reasons to exclude these items. However, you may try to negotiate their inclusion through the offer.

How do I negotiate with the seller to get a contract that’s to my advantage?
Your Realtor can negotiate using the fair market value of similar properties that have been sold. The written marketing analysis will show the sellers that your offer is accurate and reasonable, given these standards.

What kind of urgency should I put on myself when I’m about to sign a purchase offer?
If you should find a house that feels right to you, place pressure on yourself to make an offer. After all, there may be another potential buyer who also finds this house appealing and while you are delaying a decision, the other buyer could conceivably offer a purchase agreement first.

When should I begin to look into financing?
As soon as possible, meet with a lender. It is a good idea to complete a loan application and run your credit. Then at the time you are ready to decide on the contract, your method of financing is already taken care of.

What documents should I bring to the lender?
Your Realtor will give you a list of all the items pertaining to income and debts that your lender will require in order to hasten the process of approval.

What type of financing should I use?
Ask your lendor about the various types of financing available. In recent years, many various types and terms of financing have become commonplace.

What is the lender’s next step after I sign the contract and apply for financing?
Your Realtor will give you a list of what the lender requires from you once the application is submitted.

What is "buyer’s remorse?"
Buyers usually second-guess themselves as to whether or not they made the correct decision. This normally sets in between the time the contract is signed and is closed. You may want to contact your Realtor if and when you begin to get these feelings and discuss it with him or her.

What happens at settlement?
The buyer and the Buyer’s Agent meet with the Title Closing Officer to sign the loan documents and review and sign the Settlement Statement. You need to bring a certified check for the balance of the down payment and the buyer’s closing costs to the Settlement. You also need to bring your new homeowner’s insurance policy and a photo ID. The Settlement usually takes about one hour.

What is closing?
After completing Settlement, the Closing Officer overnights the signed loan documents to your lender to have the loan funded. Upon receipt, the lender wires the loaned money to the Title Company’s bank. The Title Company then pays off all of the seller’s liens and obligations on the house and gives the seller the balance. Then the Title Company takes the Warranty Deed, which was signed by the seller during their Settlement, to the County Recorder’s office and records it. At this time, the transaction is considered closed and the house belongs to you.

How do you plan to market my home?
After our listing appointment I enter your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and give copies to agents in my office. I take photos and prepare flyers listing the features and benefits of your home. Agents from my office will tour your home. Next I inform cooperating brokers in your area about your home. An advertisement is placed in local magazines. These are just a few ways in which I will market your home. (Leon:  Add any others)

What is my home worth? How do you determine its value?
I offer a free Market Analysis for my clients. I determine what the current market value is by looking at the homes in the area that are for sale and research the price of the home that have sold. I then determine a market value after I have assessed your property along with all information collected.

What will it cost me to sell? How much will I make?
I will do an estimated cost sheet, which lists a breakdown of both buyers and sellers costs based on the sale price of the home. This will show what the sellers estimated net will be after the sale.

How will you find the perfect home for me?
I ask questions about your lifestyle and what things are important to you. Area, schools, where you work, sq. ft., number of bedrooms & baths. Additional Features: golf, pool, views, fireplace, formal dining etc. I preview the home to be certain it meets your needs before I show it to you. Therefore, we do not waste time from your busy schedule.

How do I find a Mortgage Company? Title Company?
I have been working with Mortgage and Title Companies for many years and have built relationships with many. I can refer you to one that meets your special needs or you can select your own. Working with the right people assures us of an on time closing.