Buying a Home
As local experts, you can rely on us for guidance, expertise, and a little hand holding because house hunting can be stressful–we get it. Our clients enjoy our collaborative, low pressure approach to home buying. Armed with expertise honed over hundreds of transactions, extensive local market knowledge, and the desire to leave no stone unturned, ensures you will find the perfect house to make a home.
Get Pre-Approved
The first step to buying a home is to determine your buying power and establish a price range. SEED can connect you with a licensed lender, who can help evaluate your financial standing and provide a pre-approval. The lender will review your income and credit history to determine how much the bank will lend you, which will help you determine the price range for your search. Having a pre-approval letter in-hand can also increase the attractiveness of your offer, particularly when a seller has multiple offers to choose from.
Concerned you might not be able to move quickly on an offer because you need to sell your current home first? Compass Bridge Loans is the simple solution to bridge the gap between the home you have and the home you want.
The Home Search
Finding the perfect home takes the dedication of a SEED agent who will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of finding your dream home. After understanding your needs and wants, we start your search with up-to-date MLS listings in your favorite neighborhoods. We also tap into our network of off-market property listings, which is becoming more commonplace. In an era where many real estate transactions are conducted privately, having a well-connected buyers’ agent is crucial. When you find a home that you like, we'll schedule a tour for you to preview the property in person.
Making An Offer
When you're ready to move forward with a purchase, we will advise you on constructing the strongest offer possible to meet your goals. Next, we write the offer and submit it for consideration. Then we will draw up the necessary paperwork on your behalf. There is a lot to consider when making an offer. We'll discuss the purchase price, the closing date, sale contingencies and any special stipulations for your particular purchase. Once an offer is submitted, the seller may accept, reject or counter the offer. If the seller returns a counter, we will enter a negotiation period until an agreement is reached, or the offer is rejected by either party.
Going Under Contract
If your offer is accepted, you will be officially under contract. The purchase will not be complete until closing, but the home cannot be sold to anyone else while the contract remains in effect. At this point, unless you are making a cash purchase, it will be time to make an earnest money deposit and secure your mortgage loan. Lenders offer a wide range of loan programs, so it's important to work with a lender you trust to help you determine the best loan for your specific circumstances. SEED has established relationships with several reputable lenders and can connect you with them to ensure that you work with the best in the industry.
Home Inspection
Inspecting the physical condition of your next home is a vital part of the home-buying process. A licensed home inspector will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the entire property and report any problems with the condition of the home's structure or systems. The inspector will also investigate potential issues, such as pest infestations or mold. Depending on the purchase agreement, we may advise you to enter additional rounds of negotiation to resolve any problems discovered during the inspection, ensuring your interests are represented throughout the process.
Home Appraisal
Your lender will arrange a professional appraisal of the home. An appraisal is an unbiased estimate of the true (or fair market) value of a home and is conducted by an independent third party. The appraiser will confirm the appraisal value of the property for all parties involved. If the home appraises at less than the expected value, we will counsel you on your options and how best to proceed.
The Final Walkthrough
Prior to closing, we will conduct a final walkthrough of the home to ensure that all negotiated repairs have been completed, and that the home is in the same (or better) condition as when the original offer was made. This is the final opportunity to call out any problems identified with the home before closing. Depending on the purchase agreement, you may sign a formal contract addendum confirming that the walkthrough is complete, and the condition of the home is acceptable.
Closing!
Time to celebrate! Your lender will provide a final closing disclosure that summarizes the loan terms, monthly payments, taxes, and other costs associated with the closing. They will also confirm that you are clear to close, and you will sign all of the paperwork required to complete your purchase and loan agreement. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties and your loan is funded, you will receive keys, and you'll be ready to move into your new home!
Tools For Buyers
Home Search
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Featured Listings
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