Home Buying

Where do you begin in your search for the American Dream of owning your own home?  These days, most people begin with searching online. They use search engines, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, etc. As a home buyer, these are all great options, however…while these sites can give you the basic statistics, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, priced at, what they can’t give you is real information on the community.

If you’re a first time home buyer your needs are different than a seasoned home buyer. From the time that you start thinking about looking for a home to actually purchasing can take anywhere from six months to a year. You will probably begin by choosing a neighborhood, you’ll look at the school statistics, the crime rates and the market trends for the actual home sales. Eventually you’ll start visiting open houses and meeting face to face the “dreaded Real Estate Agent”.

Your first concern is, “Are they going to make me buy something that I don’t want to buy”. Your second concern is, “What’s this community really like, and does the agent even know?” Your last concern is, “How much experience do they have”. Working with a seasoned, knowledgeable, local area expert is the best way to know that you will be well represented and they will negotiate the best home purchase scenario for you.

A few things for you to know are the terms:

Escrow – A neutral third party that collects all funds and ensures all parties are paid accordingly.
Good faith deposit – Typically 1 – 3 percent of the purchase price given as a down payment from the buyer. A check is collected but not cashed until escrow is opened. Funds must be available within three days of offer acceptance.
Closing costs – Costs incurred by buyer and seller, which include loan fees, escrow fees, taxes, title fees. These fees can be negotiated, but typically buyer and seller each pay their own.
Title and vesting – How you take title determines what happens to your home if something happens to you. There can be tax consequences, so its best to speak to your tax professional to get advice on the best way for you to hold title.
Loan fees – The costs in terms of borrowing money from the bank.

If you are a seasoned home buyer, you already know what you don’t like about your current home, what you’re looking for in your next home and what you’re willing to pay to get it. The process of finding your next home can take anywhere from three to six months. You remember how pleasant or how stressful your last home purchase was and you either call your previous Realtor or you start the interview process to find a new one. Once again, your knowledgeable, local area expert will be able to help you find the home that specifically fits your needs.

If you’re ready to move forward with finding the next place to call home and want to work with a real estate professional who is committed to serving their clients needs, call today.

Adrienne Markes
Phone/SMS (714) 396-2819
Fax (949) 218-5935
Email adrienne@adriennemarkes.com