Buying or selling a home? Charles Rutenberg Realty, Fort Lauderdale, The Scott Todd / Mike Imperiale Team can help.

With a little planning ahead of time, buying a home isn't all that difficult, but the event is stressful for a lot of people. I like to give buyers an outline of the entire deal so they understand exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
There are several things you should do before commencing your home search. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to form an outline of must-have features, get a plan of what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. A good guideline to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Fort lauderdale
That's where I can help. I'd be more than happy to schedule a time to get together with you and communicate with you regarding your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, schools in the Fort lauderdale area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you start the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Fort lauderdale, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you with figuring out which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start house hunting
After our first meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll research many of the houses and exclude the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes when it's convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll point out positive features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. For the most part, buyers amend their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some features become more essential than others. If such is the case, I'll search the listings again and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Know the housing market
Your agent's understanding of the Fort lauderdale home market is a leading agent in your home search. And I assure you I'm conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can communicate some districts are "hot" and demand prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

As we view houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has room for bargaining and also when I trust the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask lots of questions, as any real estate agent will claim to understand the housing market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, contact me at 9548184743 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
I'm confident we'll find the home of your dreams in Fort lauderdale. When we do, I'll carefully create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your purchase offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's typically put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals aren't closed on the first offer – it's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk over whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
Upon finishing the deal, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-approved, it won't take much time at all, but you need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will furnish you with a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs within three days of receiving your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks adequate.

Then we'll close on your home. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and peaceful occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, simply call me at 9548184743 or e-mail me at .