Buying or selling a home in Glendale?

With some up-front planning, buying a home isn't very confusing, but the event is stressful for many people. So you'll understand exactly what to expect, I like to give my buyers an outline of the entire deal. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
Before you commence your home search, there are plenty of things you need to consider. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to create a list of must-haves, get an idea of what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. A good rule of thumb to go by is that your mortgage payment should be less than a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
That's where I can help. I'd be happy to set up a time to get together with you and speak with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss neighborhoods, school districts in the Glendale area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

In addition, I'll assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Glendale, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you with deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a home
After our first meeting, I'll begin looking for available houses on the market that are great for you. I'll research many of the houses and throw out the duds, and then we'll book appointments to tour the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll point out positive features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to tell me about things you like and dislike. For the most part, buyers update their must-have list as we tour houses and some features become more substantial than others. If such is the case, I'll go back through all the listings once more and narrow it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
Your agent's understanding of the Glendale housing market is a crucial element in your house search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can let you know what neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the list price has room for negotiation and also when I trust the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and make sure you ask lots of questions. Every real estate agent will convince you they understand the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at 623-594-7680 or e-mail me at brenda@azpremierrealty.com, and I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find your dream house
I know we'll find your dream house in the Glendale area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs, including several contingencies, such as obtaining financing, completing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property. The amount is often put towards the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most deals don't close on the first offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to accept the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the contract. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll compose a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
Once we sign the final contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It shouldn't be a long process at all if you're already pre-approved, but you'll want 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
Your lender will supply you with a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of closing costs within three days of receiving your application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and relaxing event.

Step 9 – Move in
You made it! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you contact me at 623-594-7680 or send me an e-mail.