Buyer Information
Buying a home should be an exciting, pleasant experience. Choosing the right REALTOR® gives you the advantage of having a skilled professional representing your interests from the first showing until closing.
What we will do for you
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For your convenience, we provide listings by email. We will set up an automatic search in the Multiple Listing Service which will immediately email you every property that comes on the market that meets your specified criteria. You look at them when you have time, save the ones that interest you, and delete the ones you don't like. When you want to physically look at properties, you call or email us and provide the listing numbers and/or addresses, and tell us when you would like to see them. A day or two advance notice is appreciated by sellers. We set up the showings and accompany you. If you find what you are looking for right away...great. If not, the auto search continues until you do.
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We will be available when you need us. Many real estate agents do not work, or even take phone calls or check their email, on Sundays or holidays. We answer our cell phones and conduct business 7 days a week, from early morning until late at night. Shoreline Realtors office is open 7 days a week, and there is an administrative assistant on duty. They have the technology to forward calls directly to our cell phones. If someone calls the office looking for one of us, and we are at an appointment, the call is sent to one of our cell phones. We know that people often need to talk to us in the evening, on the weekend or on a holiday; it's part of the job. We work as a team, so your chance of getting through to one of us immediately is double that of working with a single agent.
- Guide you through the entire home buying process. We handle too many details to mention, but here are the basics:
We will search out and send you all of the properties that meet your criteria; no matter what company has them listed, or what the co-op is. The co-op is the percentage of the fee offered to the brokerage representing the buyer. Some listings pay more than others. An ethical agent will provide you with all listings that meet your criteria; not just their company's listings, or listings with higher co-ops.
When you find a house you like, we will find comparable current sales to help you determine an appropriate amount to offer. We will provide you with any legal documentation or information you need about the property (seller's disclosure, survey, condo by-laws, condo fees, plat maps, zoning restrictions, deed restrictions, etc.) We will write the offer and handle counter offers and all negotiations until you and the seller come to terms that make you happy.
We will monitor contract contingencies and make sure they are satisfied in a timely manner. The earnest money deposit needs to be made by a certain date. Mortgage loans must be applied for and approved within a definite time frame. Inspections must be performed by a certain date. Closing must occur by a certain date. If any negotiations are needed to satisfy contingencies, we will handle them.
We will maintain contact with the you, the seller's agent, title company, lender, inspectors and anyone else involved in the transaction, to facilitate a timely closing.
We will obtain and review closing statements prior to closing and check them for accurancy. We will confirm the numbers with you so that you have no surprises at the closing. And, of course, one of us will attend the closing with you.
We will return your calls after closing. If you have a problem, we will help resolve it. We want you to be so pleased with our service that you will recommend us to your family and friends.
Before You Start Looking For Your New Home
- Determine the area in which you want to live.
- Identify the features you need and want in your new home.
- Apply for a loan and get pre-approval. The lender will check your credit report, which will give you an opportunity to review it and address any issues. The lender will also determine the loan amount for which you qualify, which indicates what housing price range you will look in. Get lender pre-approval in writing, including the amount. Submission of pre-approval with an offer puts the buyer (you) in a strong bargaining position.
Mortgage rate information: click here
Mortgage calculator: click here
Closing Costs to Expect
- Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, appraisal and establishing an escrow account.
- Third-party fees include charges for title insurance, title work, recording of the deed and inspections.
- Escrow fees include homeowner's insurance, real estate taxes, and private mortgage insurance (if required).
