Buying a home in Fort lauderdale?

For most people, buying a home can be an intimidating event. But with a bit of up-front planning, it's not too hard. I like to supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they know exactly what to expect. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have any questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Before you begin searching for a home, there are many things you should consider. When you start your search, you'll want to form an outline of items you need to have, plan for what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good rule of thumb to follow.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent in Fort lauderdale
That's where I can help. I'd be happy to arrange a time to meet with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Fort lauderdale area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that could affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also help you facilitate the loan process. Charles Rutenberg Realty, Fort Lauderdale, The Scott Todd / Mike Imperiale Team partners with some of the best mortgage professionals in Fort lauderdale, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you determine which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking
After we meet, I'll start looking for available homes on the market that are great for you. I'll research most of the houses and eliminate the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.

As we tour the houses, I'll call attention to positive features, as well as bad ones. And I'll ask you to talk about things you like and don't like. For the most part, buyers revise their must-have list as we tour houses and some items become more essential than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings once more and trim it down to the house of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
Your agent's understanding of the Fort lauderdale housing market is a crucial component in your house search. And I assure you I'm informed of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can let you know certain districts are "hot" and require prompt action and some that are "cold" and allow for careful analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has room for negotiation and also when I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be on guard and be sure to ask a lot of questions, as every real estate agent will convince you they know the market. If things don't add up, call me at 9548184743 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My understanding of the market will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
We'll find your dream house in Fort lauderdale, and when we do, I'll thoroughly develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include several contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a home seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's most often applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most contracts aren't closed on the first offer, and it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll figure out whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions. In addition, we'll work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
After the deal is complete, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, this won't take very long at all, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your application. The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements order that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then we'll close on your house. This will likely occur at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and easygoing affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, just contact me at 9548184743 or e-mail me at .