Buying or selling a home?

For many people, purchasing a home can be a stressful event. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't very complicated. So they'll know exactly what to expect, I will furnish buyers with an outline of the whole deal. Below are my nine steps to purchasing a home. If you have questions regarding this information or if you're prepared to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
Before you begin your home search, there are plenty of things you'll want to consider. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to put together a list of items you want, get a plan of what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is no more than 30 percent of your monthly income is a good guideline to go by.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
This is where Unicasa International USA Realty comes in. We can arrange a time to meet so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll discuss the mortgage industry, other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Davie area.

I'll also help you get started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Davie, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you decide which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin house hunting
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin looking for homes on the market that are great for you. I'll preview many of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes whenever it's convenient for you.

When we tour the homes, I'll show you the good features and negative ones. And I'll ask you to tell us about things you like and don't like. It's pretty common for buyers to amend their wish list as we tour homes and some items become far more essential than others. If that's the case, I'll search all the listings another time and narrow it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Know the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Davie home market is a leading aspect in your home search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll let you know some districts are "hot" and demand immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.

When we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's list price has room for bargaining and when I think the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as every real estate agent will tell you they truly understand the market. If things don't add up, just call me at (954) 598-0700 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm positive we'll find the house of your dreams in the Davie area. When that happens, I'll precisely create your purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as obtaining financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

When sending in your purchase offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the beginning offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll compose a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
After we sign the final contract, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. This shouldn't be a long process at all if you're pre-approved, but you should to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate 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 it all looks all right.

Then we'll close on your home. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and calm event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to call me at (954) 598-0700 or e-mail me at .