A Guide for Purchasing Your Home

A typical time frame from the time the home is selected to the time of the closing is approximately 30-60 days, as detailed in the timeline below.

1. Choose the perfect Real Estate Agent.
Time Frame: 1-5 days
We will conduct a brief interview to help you decide how I can assist you in your real estate needs. As your Realtor, I hold my duties in serving all my clients to the highest ethical and professional standards. My pledge to you is taken very seriously!

2. Learn about your destination city.
Typical time frame: 1-2 weeks
I can assist you with gathering information on the area you are moving to. Receiving information on the public and private schools, churches, recreational activities, shopping, taxes or other information you might be interested in finding is just a mouse click or phone call away. Receiving a relocation package with the basic information on the community will assist in acquainting you with the city and available services and amenities. Do your homework before beginning the home search to acquaint yourself with your destination area.

3. Seek pre-approval for your mortgage.
Typical time frame: 1-2 days
You must know how much you can afford before you begin your home search. Typical down payments range from 10% to 20% but may vary depending on credit rating and other conditions. There is a wide range of lenders to choose from or you can view our preferred lenders. Shop around as there are a wide range of mortgage plans and rates available. Most sellers will look more favorably on a buyer who already is pre-approved for a mortgage. It makes a difference when you compete for a home you really want!

4. Search for your home.
Typical time frame: 3 days to 2 weeks
Depending on what you are looking for and the state of the real estate market at the time, the length of time of your search can vary. Being internet-savy will save time. Viewing homes over the web to decide what you like will save time when you begin viewing homes with your real estate agent. The number of homes viewed varies based upon the number of homes available in the marketplace at the time of the search and the wishes and needs of the client. We offer an E-Listing system that will automatically email you all listing based on your criteria. Click here to access it!

5. Negotiate to purchase and sign a contract.
Typical time frame: 1-2 weeks
Once the home is located, as your real estate agent, I will advise you on the best way to approach an offer on your chosen home. Offers which are close to the listed price of the home will take less time to negotiate than when the offer and listing price are further apart. Having a pre-approval letter from a lender will make your offer to purchase a home more attractive. Upon acceptance of the final offer, buyer and seller will execute a purchase agreement.

6. Apply for your mortgage.
Typical time frame: 1-3 weeks
Once the purchase agreement has been executed by both the buyer and the seller, it is time to apply for your mortgage. Having a pre-approval letter from your chosen lender will shorten this time frame. Your lender will go through several steps in approving your mortgage, including securing an appraisal for the property.

7. Schedule a closing.
Typical time frame: 30 days from the time purchase agreement is signed.
Many factors can effect how soon after signing of the purchase agreement, the parties will close. Those include the availability of funds to complete transaction, inspection of the property and deficiencies which must be corrected prior to closing, seller’s time frame in vacating the property.

8. Possession and Move in.
Typical time frame: Same day of closing.
Keys typically change hands from the seller to the buyer at the close of escrow. This could be effected by funds not immediately available to seller from buyers lender, or a prior arrangement made between the parties allowing the seller to remain on the property for a period of time after closing.