BUYING
First Timers, Second Homes, & New Arrivals
A Complete Guide for Buying a Home.
Welcome to Colorado!
TRULY, A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
In need of the hustle and bustle of the big city? Maybe some peace and quiet of a mountain town? How about outdoor recreation? The residents of Denver and its surrounding communities like Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Castle Rock are always just minutes away from it all.
Finding a home in one of Colorado’s picturesque landscapes that matches the comfort level you’re looking for may seem like quite the chore. Let me help with your real estate needs so you can take advantage of everything this region has to offer.
From Denver to Colorado Springs and everywhere in-between, I have extensive experience working with first time home buyers and am particularly skilled with folks relocating* from out of state.
*I am a Military Relocation Professional. If you’re a member of the Armed Forces don’t forget to ask about my military rebate!
GUIDE FOR BUYING A HOME
You may be thinking, "Where in the world is the search bar? I just want to search for homes!" Well, it’s a really good idea to familiarize yourself with these steps but if you would like to skip ahead, I understand. Please CLICK HERE.
Step 1. Loan Pre-Approval
The Pre-Approval is perhaps one of the most important aspects to buying home. It gives you, the potential buyer, a good starting off point and will help you and your agent develop the best and most realistic list of homes within your budget.
Click HERE for a list of potential lending specialists.
Step 2. Research Neighborhoods
Make sure to learn all you can about the potential neighborhoods you would like to live in. Along with your Loan Pre-Approval this will be the foundation of searching for a new home!
Step 3. Choose the Right Agent to Find You a Home; Me!
If you've made it to this step, this choice should be a no-brainer. I have built this site with your best interests in mind and I will not stop there. Choosing me as your exclusive buyer's agent will get you a hard worker sprinkled with some fun. Just check out the bow-tie! I tied it myself.
LEARN ABOUT ME HERE
Step 4. Finish Your Wishlist
It's important you discuss your needs and make sure your agent (that's me!) fully understands what type of home will best suit you. But this step goes beyond that.
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Chances are high you've already created a wishlist or at least have a rough idea of what you're looking for. Fill out this QUESTIONNAIRE to help me get a better sense of what you're looking for. As much as I will try to get you everything you want, there are many factors that will dictate whether you get everything you're looking for.
So what are the biggest areas of compromise? According to The National Association of Realtors ® it was on the price of the home. Other items of compromise include:
size of a home
lot size
condition of home
commute to work, friends, or family
neighborhood
Step 5. Search for a Home
Finally the search bar! Ok, have a peak around and let me know what you find!
Step 6. Ready to Buy!
OK! We found you the right house... now what? Well, first off, let's take a deep breath. Ok, now let's prepare for the whirlwind of activity that's about to ensue. Don't worry we'll get through this. Here's what to expect during the Buying Process.
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HERE ARE THE KEY STEPS:
Make an offer by having your agent (that’s me!) submit a contract to the Seller for review.
The Seller will do 1 of 3 things: Accept your offer, Reject your offer, or Submit a Counter-Proposal to your offer
If the Seller submits a counter-proposal, I will contact you to discuss what it means.
When your offer is accepted an earnest money check will be delivered in a way chosen by the Seller.
A lot of times, this will look like me, your agent, taking a check for 1% of the purchase price to the Title Company chosen by the Seller. The amount can be negotiated.
Inspection of the home by a trusted Inspector of your choice.
Click HERE for a List of potential Inspectors.
Finalize your mortgage commitment.
Make preliminary moving plans.
Final buyer walk-through.
Closing.
WHAT YOUR AGENT (THAT'S ME!) WILL DO:
Submit all contracts and paperwork on your behalf.
Communicate with you on a continuous basis.
Present to you, in a timely manner, all paperwork needed for your review and signature.
Be available to chat at any hour if you have any questions or need clarification on any Real Estate topic.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO:
Be patient.
Keep your phone on you as much as possible. Weird things can happen at any time during the deal and you may receive a phone call at any time. If there are specific times where you can't or don't want to receive any phone calls, please tell me and I will do my best to respect your wishes. That segues perfectly to the next item.
Communicate with your agent (this holds true for the entire process). I am here for you so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call.
Choose a Mortgage Specialist.
Choose a Home Inspector.
Do a final walk-through of your new home!
Come to the closing table excited with a smile on your face!
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’RE A NEW HOME OWNER!
Step 7. Time to Move!
Ok, last step. You're almost home! Planning a move can be as stressful as finding your home. Luckily there are many resources available to help.
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A good place to always start a move is with the United States Postal Service (USPS). Besides taking the integral step of forwarding your mail from your old address to your new, using USPS's Change of Address site will give you valuable coupons (up to $750) for products and services in your area that can help with the move.
If you liked this Buying Process Checklist, Moving.com has an extensive 10-week checklist (8 weeks pre-move and 2 weeks post-move) that will make sure you have all your bases covered!
CLICK HERE for a list of Trusted Vendors for all of your home services need.
Was this guide helpful? Still Need More Info?
Contact Me.
christopher@reagentdenver.com
720.907.7674
445 Union Blvd. Suite 106
Lakewood, CO 80228