Step 1.) How to find the very best buyer's agent for you:

Step 2.) What do you want in your next home?

If you've decided that it's time to move, before you start packing, you've got to focus on the next most important step: What will you new home look like, where will it be, and what will your budget be for this home?

Before you even start looking, going to open-houses or anything else, you must answer TWO very important questions:

1.) How long do I want to live in this next home?
2.) What is the #1 diver of my decision to move?

Your answers will help you determine your 'must haves' and what you're willing to compromise on and will point in you in the right direction for YOUR next home. 

Step 3.) Get approved for a mortgage: 

There are a lot of loan options out there, and a number of homebuyer programs available to make buying more affordable. While the specific programs may have different income limits, in general, they serve home buyers with incomes up to $151,200. And not all programs require you to be a first time buyer either. 

 If you want to know which loan options might work best for you or whether you qualify for any of the homebuyer programs, lets talk more at your convenience. Email me and I’ll take it from there.

Step 4.) How do you buy and sell at the same time?

Step 5.) Look at homes with a plan and a purpose:

Know Your Three “Buckets”

You want to house hunt with a plan and a purpose, and that’s were these three “buckets” play a key role – budget, location, and criteria.

This analogy of three buckets refers to where each and every factor you need to consider when house hunting fits into one of these three buckets.  Each bucket doesn’t have to be equal in “weight” but the total weight combined of the three buckets must balance the scale they sit on. That’s your ultimate goal.

It’s also important for you to understand the following two requirements before you start viewing homes:

• Know where you are with the specifics for each one of the three – budget, location, and criteria; and 

• Know how each one can affect or influence the others in your search for a home.

Undertaking this step and seeing how each is linked is essential! If you “pour” too much in one bucket, you’ll need to adjust another bucket, and so on.

For example, if you need to lower your budget, then you might need to change the location if homes are more expensive in your first choice of location OR you might have to consider getting a smaller home (fewer criteria) if you want the location to stay the same with that new budget.  As you can see, one adjustment leads to another adjustment!

Looking at budget, location, and criteria in this way can help you find the alignment you are seeking, which can lead you to a home that is affordable, in a location that meets your needs, and that satisfies most of your wants.

Step 6.) Make a winning offer without going overboard:

You've found the home you want to buy! Now you're ready to make an offer and you also need to prepare for some negotiation tactics.

This is when we’ll find the perfect balance of getting the home you want AND for a price you’re happy with. I have some strategies to help you evaluate the home and determine an offer that will help you win the house while keeping as much money in your pocket as possible. 

Step 7.) Locking in your mortgage and getting your home appraised:

Once you’re under contract to buy a home, you want the final stages of the mortgage
process to go smoothly and not sidetrack the purchase of your new home. 

Both locking in your mortgage and the bank’s appraisal of the home is very important at this point so that you can move forward with your financing. 

During this phase, it feels like a lot is happening behind the scenes, but my job is to make it transparent to you. 

Step 8.) Time for that home inspection:

No home is perfect, even your dream home! Getting a professional home inspection is one very important step you need to take once you’re under contract.

Your contract may include a contingency that gives you a certain number of days to complete an inspection. Once you have the results, you may ask for repairs, renegotiate the price, or even cancel the contract if the inspection resulted in uncovering something that was a dealbreaker.

Step 9.) Review those HOA or condo docs:

If you are buying a condo or a single-family home located in a homeowners association, you’ll have the opportunity to review the associate documents, which can sometimes be many documents about the rules, regulations, and financial situation of the association,.  

Even though you’re buying a home when you purchase a home within an association, you are also buying into the unit, the “business” of the association, so it’s important for you to
determine how stable and financially sound this “business venture” is before taking it on. In this stage, I provide you a checklist that covers everything you need to consider, including its reserve funds, operating budget, and even its rules and regulation, as well as what questions you may want to ask the association or property manager.

Step 10.) Almost there - preparing for closing:

Just a few more details to handle before the big day! You’ll need to get homeowner’s insurance and call to have the utilities connected in your name. You’ll also need to get your check ready for settlement and schedule time to sign the settlement papers and make your new home officially yours! But, don’t worry, I’ve got a checklist for that too, so you won’t forget to do a thing.

You’ve finally made it!  On this monumental day, we’ll start out with the final walk-through so you can see the home again right before you take ownership and make sure all looks as it should—the sellers are out and any home inspection repairs are complete. Then we’ll head to the closing where you will sign paper after paper making you the new owner. You’ll also have to bring a certified check or wire the rest of your downpayment and closings costs. Once you leave with your new keys in your hand, it’s time to celebrate! You did it! Congratulations!

Save money when you also have a home to sell,  with my Buy, Sell & Save program. When you are working with me to sell your current home and purchase your next home, I will reduce the commission on the sale of your home so you'll have thousands of dollars more to put toward your next home. 

Just the thought of everything you have to do to go from where you are to where you want to be can feel overwhelming and stressful, both physically and financially. 

I can help you move on to your next home with proven strategies that can make it all go smoothly and as inexpensively as possible. 

Step 11.) How to have a successful closing day