Did you know that as a buyer…

You pay nothing for a REALTOR's ® services! REALTOR’s ® help recommend neighborhoods that would best suit your needs, provide you with comparable properties that have sold over the past three to six months, and help narrow your search criteria to save you time! As soon as new listings enter the market, we will notify you, so that you can get a jump on the buying competition! Also, when you find a property that you like, we will negotiate the best price for you, offer you professional assistance, and recommend reputable home inspectors and mortgage lenders as well. Getting your financing in order has to be done before you start searching for your home. The seller wants to see your full pre-approval letter within the past 30 days upon putting in your offer. Due to our distressed economy even cash buyers have to present deposits in the amount of 10% of the loan! Search and buy within your means and never under estimate your time horizon. The housing crisis has taught us that anything can happen and it’s better to buy without any expectation that the prices will continuously go up or that the housing market will be a good source of short term investment. So plan accordingly and choose an area that will fit your lifestyle for a longer period of time, as well as your budget. Don't get too sucked in by appearances and waive inspections. Buyers should keep in mind that many sellers will try to present their homes in the best possible light. If the house has been staged don’t forget that all that stuff is going when the sellers leaves. However, if the inspector does find some minor issues remember it may be worth it to fix it yourself and save some money on the purchase price. Look on the bright side this also allows you to incorporate some of your own style into your new home! Have questions prepared for the sellers and the agents. Be prepared to ask questions about how old the roof is, the cooling and heating system, the hot water heater, and how old the windows are. Ask what the cost of the utilities and the homeowner’s insurance generally is. If there's been recent renovation work then the buyers should find out about the building permits and if all of the contractors and sub-contractors have been paid in full. If there's a pool, buyers should ask if the seller has a permit from the city. If you're buying a condo, know the rules and read your disclosures! Getting financed for a Condo has become more difficult. Lenders generally want the units to be at least 50 percent owner-occupied. The common features are a huge bonus, you get swimming pools, tennis courts, and recreational centers, but the disadvantages are the restrictions, the attached neighbors, and the monthly maintenance fees. Use our experience and knowledge to make your home search easier. We've been through this many times before, so we completely understand how stressful it can be to buy a home. We'll be there to take care of the details, offer advice, and recommend other professionals in the industry. Remember this is an important decision and it is our job as REALTOR’s ® to educate you and offer our assistance to make this a pleasurable experience!