Purchasing a home in Palm Harbor with Bradshaw & Bradshaw Realty Services

With some up-front planning, buying a home isn't that confusing, but the event is intimidating for a lot of people. I like to furnish buyers with an outline of the entire deal so they'll understand exactly what to expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
Before you commence your home search, there are a lot of things you should take into account. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to put together an outline of must-have features, get an idea of what school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 30 percent of your monthly income is a good guideline to follow.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
That's where I can help. We'll schedule a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that may potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Palm Harbor area.

In addition, I'll assist you with getting started on your loan. Bradshaw & Bradshaw Realty Services partners with some of the best mortgage professionals in Palm Harbor, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you in deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a house
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin searching for homes on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the houses and reject the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses at a time that's convenient for you.

When we tour the homes, I'll identify positive features and negative ones. And I'll ask you to talk about things you like and don't like. It's pretty common for buyers to change their wish list as we tour homes and some items become far more crucial than others. If that's the case, I'll search all the listings again and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Know the housing market
An agent's awareness of the Palm Harbor housing market is an imperative aspect in your house search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I'll let you know which areas are "hot" and warrant immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for careful analysis.

When we view houses, I'll let you know if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Be careful and make sure you ask your agent a lot of questions, as every REALTOR will tell you they truly understand the home market. If things don't add up, just call me at 7274171290 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I'm certain we'll find your dream home in the Palm Harbor area. When that happens, I'll carefully develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the home inspection, and a clean title.

When sending in your offer, most likely you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's often applied to the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most contracts aren't closed on the initial offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it intimidate you. We'll figure out whether or not to agree to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Obtain your loan
Once we sign the final deal, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't be a long process at all, but you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will furnish you with a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs within three days of accepting your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your application. This estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a narrow range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if everything looks adequate.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most often take place at a title company or escrow office and will probably be a smooth and stress-free affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to call me at 7274171290 or e-mail me at .