HOME BUYING PROCESS

This is our five-step process to help you successfully purchase a home. When you work with us, this is the scope of services we will provide. It is not necessarily inclusive of everything you may encounter in purchasing a home. It is a guide that lists the steps as they should occur, and how we can help you in the process of buying a home. We will guide you through this process and assist you ever step of the way!

1. DETERMINE PRICE RANGE AND GET PRE-QUALIFYING FOR A MORTGAGE

  • Your price range will depend on the Down Payment and Monthly Payment you want to make.
  • Get a copy of your credit report and determine your credit score. Your credit score is important in determining your interest rate and the type of mortgage you will qualify for. Your score will also come into consideration when you shop for homeowners insurance.
  • Resolve any credit issues and rescore your credit, if necessary.
  • Obtain a good faith estimate from your mortgage company. This will give you a detailed breakdown of the Estimate Monthly Payment and Closing Costs. We will review this with you to make sure you understand all of the costs involved.
  • Explore financing options and determine the best type of mortgage loan for you:
    • Fixed Rate Loans
    • Adjustable Rate Loans
    • 1, 3, & 5 Year Fixed/Adjustable Rate Loans
    • No Down Payment Loans – 100% Financing 80/20 Loans
    • No Down Payment VA Loans
    • Low Down Payment FHA Loans
    • Interest Only Loans
    • Stated Income Loans
    • S.C. State Housing Loans
    • Seller Financing
    • Special "First Time Homebuyer" Programs.
  • Obtain "official" pre-approval letter from a lender. You will need this in the negotiation process. Typically the seller will want evidence that you are pre-approved for a mortgage.
  • Consider if you should negotiate with the seller to pay all or some of your closing costs. Sometimes it is OK and sometimes it is not. It could cause you to lose the house.
  • Monitor the mortgage company during loan process to ensure that everything is being done and is on schedule.

 

2. SEARCHING FOR A HOME

  • Determine your search criteria. What you are looking for in a home? Know the difference between "needs" and "wants."
    • Determine the general area in which you want to live.
    • Determine the type of neighborhood in which you want to live; i.e.: newer or older subdivision established neighborhood...or if you would consider both.
    • Single-Family, Townhouse, or Condo
    • Set your price range.
    • How many bedrooms, baths, and any other rooms.
    • Square footage requirements.
    • Parking – One or Two-Car Garage.
    • Type of foundation – Slab, Crawl Space, or Elevated Home.
    • Consider if you want to live in a neighborhood with amenities such as swimming pool, tennis court, boat landing, etc…
    • Consider type of exterior construction: brick, cement plank, stucco, vinyl or wood siding.
  • We will search and send you the information on current homes for sale that match your criteria. Will send e-mail or regular mail, whichever you prefer.
  • We will set up our auto email system, which will automatically send you new and current information on homes as they become available.
  • We will monitor the market for new listings, including "For Sale By Owner" properties.
  • Make appointments and go with you to view the homes you want to see.

 

3. ONCE YOU FIND A HOME - THINGS TO DO AND QUESTIONS TO ASK:

  • Obtain a copy of the Seller’s Property Disclosure form.
  • Verify age of home from tax records.
  • Verify square footage from tax records.
  • Verify property taxes from tax records.
  • Verify regime fee breakdown and/or homeowner association dues.
  • Ask about existing transferable warranties.
  • Ask about existing termite bond and transferability.
  • Ask about any upcoming or existing property assessments.
  • Ask about average utility bills: power, water, gas, etc.
  • Ask about condition and age of heating and air conditioning system.
  • Ask about condition and age of roof.
  • Ask about condition and age of appliances.
  • Ask about any recent repairs and/or improvements.
  • Ask about an existing survey.
  • Ask about any easements on the property.
  • Ask about flood insurance.
  • Ask why seller is moving.

 

4. MAKING AN OFFER AND NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT

  • Review current real estate market information. Consider...
  • Homes currently for sale.
  • Homes under contract.
  • Homes that have recently sold.
  • Determine a range in "Fair Market Value." 
  • Structure a written offer to purchase. (Contract of Sale)
  • Present written offer to seller or seller’s agent.
  • We will assist you in negotiating the contract with the seller. Our Contract of Sale is six pages long and addresses 28 points of concern. We will explain each and every clause in the contract to ensure that you clearly understand every issue.
  • Ratify the Contract of Sale.

 

 

 

5. PROCESSING THE SALE AND GETTING TO THE CLOSING

Once the contract is ratified, the final phase is for both the Buyer and Seller  to perform their obligations in a timely manner in order to complete the transaction.

  • Make a formal loan application.
  • Order professional home inspection.
  • Review home inspection and negotiate repairs with the seller.
  • Order the appraisal.
  • Choose your closing attorney.
  • Obtain homeowners insurance.
  • Verify all the terms and conditions of the contract are met, repairs completed, etc.
  • Conduct final walk-through.
  • Order transfer/activation of utilities.
  • Review settlement statement prior to the closing. Make sure everything is correct and there are no surprises at the closing.
  • Attend the real estate closing with you.

As a Customer…

If you allow us to work with you in finding a property to purchase and do not sign a buyer agency agreement, then you will be considered a customer of the company. Sometimes a buyer will work with us as a customer until we find a property they want to purchase. Prior to making an offer on the property, the buyer will then sign a buyer agency agreement and become a client of the company. You must become a client in order for us to represent you in the transaction. As a customer, the scope of services we can provide are as follows:

 1. Search for properties that match your criteria and email or mail you the information on current homes for sale.
 2. Monitor the market for new listings.
 3. Make appointments and go with you to view the homes you want to see.
 4. Review current market information for the subdivision or area in which the home is located.
 5. Assist you in completing a written offer to purchase, present your offer to the seller and assist in ratifying the 
     contract of sale.
 6. Assist you in completing your contractual obligations in a timely manner. 
 7. Attend the real estate closing with you and the seller.