With over 20 years experience we’ve helped buyers find all types of homes. From the first condominium or single family in the city, a starter home in the suburbs, an investment property or an “upgrade” as they outgrow their existing home and need more space for a growing family…we’ve been there.
Optimizing a search, comparing pricing, advising on how to place an offer that will get accepted in this competitive market and guiding them through all the remaining steps that lead to a successful closing.
We would be happy to discuss your search with you. When working with buyers, we act as buyer’s agents representing you and your interests. We have a network of home inspectors, attorneys, lenders, and other professionals that you may need.
As an example we outlined a typical timeline for the different steps in the process.
1. Once you have found the perfect home you and your agent will write your offer. Expect negotiations to last approximately 24 hours or so.
2. After the Buyer and Seller come to an agreement on price and terms both parties sign the offer which becomes a binding contract. Expect to give some deposit money to the sellers agent which will be deposited into escrow account and held until the closing.
3. After you are “Under Agreement” it’s time to book your home inspection. Although home inspections are optional, they are highly recommended. It’s best to try to get this done as quickly as possible. You will have dates on the offer that you must adhere to. They usually indicate that the inspection be done and any home inspection issues are addressed and agreed upon within 7-10 days.
4. The Purchase and Sales Agreement is next and is typically signed between 7 to 12 days. This is an extremely important contract that the attorney’s for the buyer and seller side will produce for both parties to sign. Again, expect to give more of your deposit money to the Seller’s agent which will also be deposited in the escrow account for you.
5. Once the P&S is signed it will be forwarded to your lender. You should work closely with your lender and supply them with all of the required information to complete your mortgage application. This should be done within about 14 days of when you signed your offer.
6. Your lender will order an appraisal of the property and those results will help to determine whether or not you and the property qualify for a mortgage. If the bank agrees to grant the mortgage they will issue a Commitment Letter which will allow us to move towards the closing. This typically happens around 30 days of when you signed the offer.
7. Either the night before or the morning of the closing you will meet with your agent at the property to do a final walk-thru. This is make sure that there has been no damage to property, that all of the appliances and fixtures are still there and that all of the seller’s belongings have been removed from the house.
8. The closing! The big day is finally here! You and your agent will meet with your attorney at an agreed upon time and location. You will be presented with a stack of paperwork that will be explained to you as you go and you will be required to sign. Any additional down payment money will be given to the attorney then and you can expect to have to bring it in the form of a bank check. Cash or personal check will not do! Once all of the paperwork has been signed the keys will be turned over to you and you will become a proud new homeowner! Congratulations!
