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A simple guide to the home buying process
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Buyer consultation All blue links will open pdf files full of tips.
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Lets meet to discuss your home buying options & needs.
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It’s like Real Estate 101 in about one hour.
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5 benefits of using a Realtor
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Learn about the Agency Laws in Maryland
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Which agent do you need: Buyers agent, dual agent, Sellers agent, Cooperating agent. A buyers agent is always preferred if you are buying a home.
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View the State of Maryland agency information
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Apply for your loan early. (get your ducks in a row)
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Which loan approval is best? Pre qualified, Pre approved, Approved, Loan commitment,
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Professional lenders make it relatively easy. Others charge too many points, and many do not have your loan finished until the day before settlement (Stress)
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8 ways to improve your credit & 5 ways to increase your Fico score
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10 things a lender needs from you
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What are the current market conditions?
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The market is becoming balanced, Great homes are sometimes selling for full price. Well priced and appointed homes can get multiple offers. The listing inventory is stable. This is helping to create a balance between supply & demand . Units sold in 2011 will most likely be more than 2010.
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We are moving towards a more balanced market in 2011.
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10 tips for 1st time buyers
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10 ideas to make home buying less stressful
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It is time to look for some listings online.
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Use the Homesdatabase search link to look at all the homes.
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Most Realtor databases contain the same homes. Identify neighborhoods & home styles you like.
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I can E-mail you new listings as soon as they become available. I will input your needs into my custom software package. Each day my software will scan the Realtor’s MLS for homes that fit your criteria. It will send you an E-mail each time a new listing meets your needs.
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Tips for finding the almost perfect neighborhood
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Here is a sample property wish list
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Lets checkout some homes!
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Most buyers will look at 8 - 15 homes over a period of 1-3 months.
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I’ll try to help you find several neighborhoods that you like. Then, we will look each house in that neighborhood that is in your price range.
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I will always give you my professional opinion on each home and lot. You’ll get the pros & cons from me. Then, of course, it is your decision. I try to be an real estate advisor, not a pushy sales person.
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Lets review the recently sold homes in the neighborhood. We call these the comparables or comps.
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Don’t forget these important disclosures in MD
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5 Common 1st time buyer mistakes
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We have found the right home. It’s time to write the offer
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Lets strategize and negotiate the best price, terms & conditions
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I’ll advise you on important contingencies to include in the offer
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Don’t forget to include the inspections important to you:
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Home, Radon, Lead paint, mold, Most offers have 2 inspections
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10 Questions to ask the Home Inspector
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You’ve got a contract on the home! Now lets check it out
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We do the inspections in the beginning. The buyer pays for all inspections.
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We will negotiate with the seller to repair the major systems & appliances that are not functioning properly.
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Hidden defects to watch out for. Don’t buy a house with a hill in the backyard
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Here are some of the final steps of the process
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Your lender sends an appraiser to make sure you are not over paying for the home.
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Give your lender any final papers they need.
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Pick a Termite inspection company. I will always have 3 good referrals for you. A termite looks like a grain of white rice with legs, during most of it’s life cycle.
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Ask your insurance agent to send a copy of the homeowners policy to the lender.
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10 Ways to lower your home insurance
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It is time to go to settlement (also known as )closing.
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We will do a final walk thru to make sure the home inspections repair’s were completed
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Settlement takes about 90 minutes. Now you are a homeowner!
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You can move in right away
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Pre-settlement walk-thru checklist
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Don’t forget, If I’m your buyer’s agent, I’m representing your interests during the purchase. If I don’t know the answer to a question, I will suggest other experts in that field who can advise you.
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