home buying

While we strive to be the first and best choice for your real estate needs, we work the hardest, while providing you with exceptional service, because we know that while buying a home can be a very exciting time, especially for first time home buyers, we also know that it can get a bit stressful, having to deal with so many different professionals, and steps, that is necessary to bring your home buying transaction to a successful close. Here are just a few of the professionals that are parties to the home buying process.

  1. Loan officer

  2. Processor

  3. Underwriter

  4. lender

  5. Buyer’s agent

  6. Listing agent

  7. Home insurance company

  8. Title company that includes the escrow agent

  9. Appraiser

  10. Home inspector

  11. Real estate attorney

  12. Tax Advisor

  13. Notary

This information will give you a general idea of what to expect before you begin your home buying process. The loan officer will check your credit, if your scores are OK, he or she will examine your current expenses, income and debt and let us know how much you qualify for before we can begin your home search. Keep in mind, that while the loan officer will review all three scores, he or she, will eliminate the highest and the lowest score and use the middle score. For VA buyers, although VA does not require a credit score, please understand the lender you choose to work with may require that you have at least one credit score.

Once you find a home, all the necessary paperwork will be completed, sign and submitted to the seller’s agent. Once the contract has been accepted, you will drop off the option fee and earnest money at the title company, in addition to making arrangement to have the home inspected. this is a necessary even if you are buying a new home. As your realtor, I make sure you stay on top of important dates, such as the option period beginning and ending date and time.

During this time, your mortgage application will be in the full processing stage and you will be communicating with the loan officer and or processor. Please note, you will need to provide requested documents in a timely manner to prevent delays.

As we move through the process, the lender may continue to request additional documents while the loan is in process. The appraisal will be ordered by the lender in addition to your file going thru the underwriting process. Commitment, and homeowner’s insurance will follow before clear to close is issued. If you are buying a brand new home, you will meet with the construction manager for a first and second walk during the process. Once clear to close is issued, you may begin to receive regular communication from the title company.

A final walk of the property is usually schedule to take place 1-3 days before closing. On the day of closing, you will need to take your valid driver license along with the closing dollar amount. If you choose to wire your funds, you will need to pay extremely close attention to any and all emails, instructing you to change wiring instruction. Always call me or the title company before complying to any wiring instruction. Once all the documents have been signed and file funded. Congratulations! You are a homeowner! Here are your keys. If it’s a new home, you will be able to collect your keys from the sales person at the model home onsite.