A home is one of the largest, if not the largest purchases that a person will make in their lifetime and therefore a very important decision. The home buying process can be very overwhelming, especially for a first time homebuyer.  From the moment I meet a Buyer to the day of settlement I am working for them. From finding a home, to negotiating on their behalf, to ensuring a painless settlement, I am here to help ease any worries and frustrations by breaking down the home buying process into just a few simple steps:

Step 1:  Determining a price range
The first key element in purchasing a home is to establish a price range in which you feel comfortable spending. Many people take a mortgage when purchasing a home. I advise my clients to speak with a Mortgage Consultant who will help in setting a price in which to search.

Step 2:  Choosing a neighborhood
Picking the “perfect” neighborhood is extremely important when purchasing a home.  After all, where someone lives greatly impacts their life. When I first start working with Buyers, unless they have already made a definite decision as to where they want to live, I like to drive them through various neighborhoods in their price range to help give them a sense of what neighborhood is a good fit for them.  I review with my clients all the positives and negatives of each neighborhood, while taking into account house specific requirements that homes in a certain area may or may not have.  I also remind my clients that while virtually anything can be done to a house in terms of renovations and/or decorating, it is important to remember that the location of a house cannot be moved. Thus, once a Buyer has identified a neighborhood, or even several neighborhoods in which they want to live, it is easy to zero in on a home.

Step 3:  Zeroing in on that “perfect” home in that “perfect” neighborhood
Most homes for sale today are listed on the Multiple Listing Service, otherwise known as the MLS. It is imperative to be computer savvy and to check the MLS several times a day in search of new listings. For when and if that “perfect” home comes up for sale, it should be communicated to a Buyer immediately, and I do just that. Most Buyers prefer that I e-mail them any new listings, as I have constant access to a computer. I am also in touch by telephone with my Buyers. As a Realtor with Prudential Fox & Roach, there is also a voice mail system where new listings may be announced. I listen to this voice mail often during the day and communicate any and all new listings of interest to my clients. It is true, that no matter what type of real estate market, any home could be sold at any time, so if a home comes up for sale that meets the criteria and is in the neighborhood of my clients’ preference, I want to tell them about it before it is too late.

Step 4:  Purchasing the home
Writing an Agreement of Sale can be very overwhelming with all of the legalese involved. Some Buyers question whether or not to hire an Attorney. Of course, this is the Buyers’ prerogative.  However, as an Attorney and a Realtor, I am able to explain to my clients with ease all of the wording in an Agreement of Sale and any accompanying documents. In turn, I am then able to guide them in helping them to decide, for example, what inspection contingency to choose. While my background allows me to give my clients a better understanding by carefully explaining all of the nuances in an Agreement of Sale, I am careful not to represent a client as both an Attorney and Realtor in the same transaction.  I feel, ethically, that it is better for me to represent someone as either their Realtor or their Attorney, but not both in the same transaction. If I am the Realtor and my client wants to hire an Attorney, they should do so, with someone else.

Step 5:  Negotiating
Being an Attorney as well as a Realtor is beneficial to my clients as I have the skill necessary to really negotiate on their behalf in the purchase of a home. I have an in-depth knowledge of the property inspection contingencies as I did my law school thesis on Sellers Property Disclosure. I am also a friendly person who gets along well with the other Realtors. It is very important to maintain amicable relations with other Realtors, as it makes for much smoother negotiations.

Step 6:  Settlement
The day of Settlement on your new home should be a joyous one.  After all, finding and buying the home of your dreams is a wonderful occasion to celebrate. My settlements usually run smoothly. I was once told that a smooth settlement is the sign of a good Realtor who does their homework ahead of time and follows up on any outstanding issues. That is me.  I am very conscientious and very organized and I am constantly checking to make sure that everything that needs to be taken care of prior to settlement is done. A Buyer, or even another Realtor could forget to do something, but I always remember!

 Step 7:  Moving into your new home
 This is my favorite part – visiting my satisfied clients in their new home!!!