Buying or selling a home in Oakland? Thomas-Chambers Company
BRE # 01208644 can help.

Buying a home can be stressful for a lot of people, but with some planning ahead of time, it isn't too hard. I like to supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they know exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are plenty of things you'll want to do before you search for a home. When you start your search, you'll want to put together a check list of must-haves, get a plan of what school districts you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than 1/3 of your monthly income is a good principle to go by.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent in Oakland
This is where Thomas-Chambers Company
BRE # 01208644 can help. We'll plan a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Oakland area.

I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. I partner with some of Oakland's finest mortgage professionals, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They will assist you in determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start your home search
After we meet, I'll begin searching for available houses on the market that are good for you. I'll preview most of the homes and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll call attention to positive features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. It's widely common for buyers to update their wish list as we tour houses and some items become far more important than others. If that happens, I'll look through the listings another time and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My knowledge of the Oakland housing market is an imperative aspect in your home search. I'm conscious of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will communicate what neighborhoods are "hot" and require immediate action and some that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

When we view houses, I'll be sure to tell you when the list price has room for negotiation and when I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask a lot of questions. Any REALTOR in Oakland will claim to understand the housing market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, call me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been looking for
I'm certain we'll find your dream house in the Oakland area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly create your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When presenting your offer, you'll probably need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's typically put towards the closing costs. If your offer is accepted, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts don't close on the first offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it intimidate you. We'll talk about whether or not to agree to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll formulate a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
Once the contract is finished, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it won't take long at all, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs within three days of getting your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your loan application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a strict range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then we'll close on your home. This will most often take place at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and pleasant event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, make sure you call me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at .