Is it better to rent or to buy?
That decision is ultimately up to you, but I recommend this tool to help decide (or this one is good too), if it is the right financial move for you.
If I am interested in buying a home, how do I get started?
The first step is to meet with a lender who will tell you the amount of loan they are willing to give you. They will run your credit and advise you as to how to improve your credit if it is necessary. They will also help you determine how much you feel comfortable borrowing and what will be your monthly payments. Let me know if you need some recommendations, I am happy to help. Next, it’s important to find a realtor you know and trust. This person will be representing you throughout the transaction and it’s important to know that you have the same communication style and they listen to your needs. I would love to be your realtor. See my testimonials page or bio for more information with me. I also partner with my mother, Maryann Ward who has been in the business for over 25 years. Check out our team website.
What if I need to sell my home before I buy a new one?
To put yourself in the best negotiating position before you find the new home you want, hire a qualified real estate agent to help you put your home on the market. Once you write an offer on a new home, your offer will be “contingent” upon the sale of your home. A buyer in this position may not have the same negotiating power as one whose home has already sold (or at least has an accepted offer). The seller may be hesitant to accept your offer because there are too many things that must happen before the sale can close.
How does my offer get presented to the seller?
I will call the agent who is the listing agent for the home you have chosen. I will be there to explain the details of your offer and negotiate on your behalf.
What happens if I offer less than the asking price?
If you offer less money, the seller has three options. They can accept the lower offer, counter your offer or reject it completely. Remember that there could be another buyer who is also interested in the home you’ve chosen. If they happen to write an offer at the same time you do, the seller will have two offers to compare. There are many aspects of each offer to consider, but ultimately the seller will accept the offer that is best for them. In active real estate markets, homes often sell for their list price. In hot markets, there may be many buyers vying for the same house, which sometimes drives the final sale price above the original listing price. As a real estate professional, I can help you plan your strategy, based on the current real estate market in our area.
Does it cost me money to make an offer?
When you write the offer on the home you’ve chosen, you will be exptected to include a pre-approval letter and an earnest money deposit, which could be in the form of a promissory note that will be redeemed after acceptance of your offer. The deposit is a sign of your good faith that you are seriously interested in buying the home.
Where does my earnest money go?
Once the buyer and seller have a mutually accepted offer, the earnest money is depositied into a escrow account. The deposit becomes a credit to the buyer and becomes part of the purchase expense.
Can I lose my earnest money?
Real estate contracts are complicated legal transactions. This is another area where having a knowledgeable and professional agent is a necessity. It is unsual for the buyer to lose their earnest money. Most often, if the transaction falls apart, there are circumstances beyone the buyer’s control that cause it to happen. If the buyer willfully decides, however, that they no longer want to buy the house and has no legal reason for rescinding their offer, then the seller might not be willing to release the earnest moeny.
Is that all the money that’s involved?
Some lenders required the cost of the appraisal and credit report at the time of the loan application. Other costs include inspections (typically, general home inspection, sewer scope, radon testing and anything else that is important to you).
If you have any more questions, I am always happy to help. Please contact me at megankateward@gmail.com
