BUYERS

I can help you find your perfect place!

There are several key steps to buying an Island home, and you can count on me to be by your side throughout the entire process, with up-to-date information, professional expertise and advice. I will customize the process to fit your unique needs. Download my handy Homebuying Checklist for a printable version of this list.

STEPS TO BUYING A HOME

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  Decide What You Can Spend

  Sizing up your finances early will prepare you to find the best home loan. Use a few standard guidelines to gauge your home buying power:

  • Estimate two and a half times annual income.
  • Calculate 28% of before-tax income for monthly housing debt (mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and any maintenance costs for a co-op or condominium).
  • Determine how much money you’ve saved for a down payment and closing costs. Start gathering relevant financial papers needed for your application and be one step ahead of the game. Our Mortgage Checklist can help.
  • Investigate neighborhoods and schools.
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  Get Preapproved

  A pre-approval is a letter from a lender to give homebuyers a specific loan amount and loan type. You can get pre-approved before or after you have found a home to buy. However, many buyers find they have increased negotiating clout if they are already pre-approved when they conduct their home search.

  • Check your credit report, if needed, to make sure there are no surprises.
  • Apply for pre-approval.
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  Find the Right Home

  House hunting can be fun and exciting, but you have to do some homework to find the right home for you. Call us so we can:

  • Conduct a cost-of-living comparison if planning to buy in a different geographical area.
  • Prioritize desired home features. Get started with our Wish List.
  • Make an offer and negotiate a final price.
  • Have the home inspected.
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  Close the Deal

  If you’ve followed the steps above, these final stages of the home purchase should go smoothly:

  • Find the best mortgage for you. Talk to a mortgage consultant to explore your options.
  • Organize your documents and information before you apply. Follow our Mortgage Checklist.
  • Apply for a mortgage and obtain a commitment letter. For homebuyers with pre-approvals, this will be a formal application.
  • Close the loan. A real estate agent, settlement agent, or attorney generally walks homebuyers through the process of meeting contract contingencies and scheduling settlements.
  • Move in and celebrate!