Buying or selling a home?

Purchasing a home is intimidating for a lot of people. However, with some planning ahead of time, it isn't very difficult. So they know exactly what they can expect, I'll supply buyers with an overview of the whole deal. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have questions regarding any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are many things you need to do before commencing your home search. You'll most likely want to make a check list of items you want, get a plan of what school districts you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. A good guideline to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be 1/3 of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Oakland
That's where I come in. We can arrange a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Oakland area.

In addition, I'll help you facilitate the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in Oakland, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They'll help you determine which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
After we meet for the first time, I'll start finding available homes on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll research most of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll point out positive features and negative ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. It's widely common for buyers to revise their must-have list as we tour houses and some items become more important than others. If that happens, I'll look through all the listings again and trim it down to the home you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Know the market
My knowledge of the Oakland housing market is a leading agent in your home search. I am conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can communicate some districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

When we view homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's asking price has room for negotiation and also when I believe the house is "priced to sell." Any real estate agent will claim to truly understand the home market, but be on guard, and make sure you ask your agent lots of questions. If it seems like they don't know everything, call me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
We'll find the home of your dreams in the Oakland area, and when we do, I'll carefully develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including many contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, finishing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we turn in your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property. The amount is typically put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts don't close on the beginning offer, and it's really common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this discourage you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market circumstances. We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure a loan
Once the contract is finalized, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, this shouldn't be a long process at all, but you'll need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll manage all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your loan application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a precise range of accuracy. I'll go over the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your home. This should take place at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and easygoing affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, be sure to call me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at .