Buying or selling a home? AUSTIN HOME AND LOAN can help.

Purchasing a home is a stressful event for most people, but with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't very confusing. I like to give buyers a road map of the entire deal so they understand exactly what to expect. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
There are plenty of things you should do before you look for a home. When you start your search, you'll probably want to assemble an index of features you want, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and begin planning your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or around a third of your monthly income is a good guideline to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get with a real estate agent in Buda
That's where I come in. I can plan a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, school districts in the Buda area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also help you start the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in Buda, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll help you choose which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin house hunting
After our initial meeting, I'll begin looking for available houses on the market that are great for you. I'll research many of the houses and exclude the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll show you the positive features and negative ones. And I'll ask you what things you like and don't like. Generally, buyers revise their must-have list as we view houses and some features become more important than others. If that's the case, I'll search the listings another time and narrow it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Understand the housing market
My awareness of the Buda housing market is a necessary resource in your search. I'm conscious of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can alert you to what districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll make sure to communicate if the list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and make sure you ask your agent a lot of questions, as every REALTOR^® in Buda will tell you they know the home market. If things don't add up, just call me at (512) 292-3494 or e-mail me at info@austinhomeandloan.com, and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm positive we'll find your dream home in the Buda area. When we do, I'll meticulously develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs, including several contingencies. A few examples are obtaining financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.

When presenting your purchase offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is usually put towards the closing costs. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most deals aren't closed on the first offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a large role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
After we sign the final contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it shouldn't take long at all, but you should to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll handle all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.>

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of receiving your loan application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy. I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most likely happen at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and hassle-free occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply contact me at (512) 292-3494 or send me an e-mail.