Purchasing a home.
First, get pre-qualified. (See "Lending" below.)

Next find yourself a Savvy agent...yes, I just had to throw that in there!

Once you have found your agent, you are going to go through a question and answer period. What are your wants and needs. And yes, wants and needs are diffrent. What are your lifestyle expectation for choosing a neighborhood? What are schools are you looking at? What are your transportation preferences? Yes, all of it. Why? Because it is our job to help you through this great treasure hunt...but you have to help design the map!

We will then go look at homes. Probably several. Be sure to tell your agent what you like and what you don't like about each property. This helps narrow the search!

Once we have found the home you are looking for, you will write a purchase and sale offer. This tells the seller what you are willing to pay, information about your financing, insepctions...your offer in detail. This is where the negotiation begins.

Once we have an accepted offer, several deadlines start ticking away. It is my job to keep you informed of these deadlines, and protect your interests. When all contingencies such as financing, insurance, inspections have been satisfied we move towards closing.

Selling your Property.
First...find that savvy agent!

Your agent will take a tour of your home. Offer suggestions for home improvement items that will help you get top dollar for your property. They will then provide you with a CMA, and help you determine your listing price.

Your agent should provide you with a complete marketing plan specific to your property. Keep in mind that 90% of all homes are sold with an agent involved, and over 80% of all home buyers search the internet. The bulk of any "savvy" marketing plan will focus their budget in these two arenas.

Work with your agent on the marketing plan. Tell them what you love about your home, why did you buy it?

Your agent will be taking many pictures of your home and yard. Be ready for that!

Be realistic. And be aware that while your home is on the market, you don't live in it quite the same. You try not to leave clothes, dishes, messes scattered about prior to your departure for the day! You have one first impression...maximize it!
Once we have a purchase and sale offer on the table, we will look at the validity of the offer. This is where the negotiation begins.

Once we have an accepted offer, several deadlines start ticking away. It is my job to keep you informed of these deadlines, and protect your interests. When all contingencies such as financing, insurance, inspections have been satisfied we move towards closing.

Lending:
When buying a home the very first step you must take is with a lender...unless you are paying all cash!

Sit down with a lender or apply online. You must know where you stand financially, how much you can afford, how much down you need, closing costs, and what lending programs are available to you.

There are still several 1st Homeowner programs, which means you haven't owned a home in the last 5 years. 100% Financing programs are still available as well.

In today's lending climate make sure you are working with a lender who can actually get your loan funded.

Title & Escrow
Whether you are buying or selling, you will be going through the escrow process. Title search is done on the property, assuring that the deed can legally be conveyed to another person. Also during this search all encumbrances on the property are revealed. Such as liens, easements, mortgages, etc.

Escrow is where all the legal paper shuffling takes place. Based on the instructions of the purchase and sale, and lender, the escrow officer prepares all the documentation needed to close the transaction. You are often asked to provide information to escrow to help them with the process. They are also responsible for pro-rating any water, sewer, propane, taxes due at the time of closing.

Closing. Closing is a word used to state the day the sale must be funded and the transfer recorded. Although, you will often hear an agent or the escrow officer refer to your "closing appointment." This is the day you sign all the necessary documentation. It is typically a day or two before the actual closing (recording) date.