When You Start
Evaluate as you drive though a community. Consider the following questions as a basis for determining your location needs:
- Where is the nearest shopping center, bus line, police station and library?
- What school district is the home in, and what schools are available?
- What types of homes (single family, apartments, condominiums) are in the neighborhood?
- How far apart are the homes?
- How far is your commute to work?
- What community resources are available?
- Generally, where are the cars parked (driveways, garages, street)?
- Do you notice a lot of noise, traffic or pollution?
- Are the homes in good repair and the landscaping well kept?
- Does the home get High Speed Internet?
Finding The Right Home
Keep your eyes open and your notebook in hand as you walk through a potential home. Consider the following questions as a basis for determining your needs as a homeowner:
- How long has the home been on the market?
- Why is the home being sold?
- What is the asking price of the home?
- Has the price been lowered?
- Is the price comparable to other homes in the neighborhood?
- What is the down payment required?
- Is the house structurally sound?
- Is there room enough for the present and the future?
- Do you like the floor plan of the home?
- What is the condition of the yard ?
- What improvements must be made?
- Will the seller repair or replace any items that need repair or replacement?
Think carefully about each house you see and don’t be in a hurry. We can point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.
The Offer
Making an offer to buy a home entails many factors. We will discuss the following factors prior to putting the offer on the table:
- Amount of earnest money
- Down payment
- Price you are offering
- Details of financing
- Proposed move in date
- Proposed closing date
- Details of the sale
- How long the offer is valid
The seller will either accept the offer as presented, or make a counter offer and ask you to resubmit a proposal. When all the parties involved have agreed upon the details, initialed any revisions and signed the final agreement then an offer becomes a contract.
