Are you contemplating buying your new home in Oakland? Thomas-Chambers Company
BRE # 01208644 can help.

Buying a home intimidates a lot of people, but with some up-front planning, it isn't too difficult. I like to furnish buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they'll understand exactly what to expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
There are many things you need to consider before you start looking for a home. It's likely that you'll want to make an index of items you want to have, get an idea of what school districts and neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is around 30 percent of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Oakland
That's where I can help. I'd like to set up a time to get together with you and speak with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, school districts in the Oakland area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that may potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Oakland, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can assist you with deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin your search
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin searching for available houses on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and eliminate the duds, and then we'll book appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll point out good features, as well as bad ones. I'll even ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to change their wish list as we view homes and some features become more substantial than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings once again and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Understand the market
An agent's understanding of the Oakland market is a necessary component in your house search. And I assure you I'm conscious of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can alert you to certain districts are "hot" and demand immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for careful examination.

When we tour houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be mindful and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as any real estate agent in Oakland will tell you they comprehend the housing market. If it seems like they don't know everything, contact me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
We'll find the home of your dreams in the Oakland area, and when that happens, I'll carefully develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we send in your offer, most likely you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure an offer to purchase the property. The amount is typically applied to the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals don't close on the initial offer. It's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a vital role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. 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 – Get financing
Upon finalizing the deal, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-qualified, this shouldn't be a long process at all. However, you'll need to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll look after all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. The estimate is based on the loan amount. RESPA requirements order that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy, and I'll go over the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your house. This should take place at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and comfortable occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, just contact me at 5106010116 or e-mail me at .