Are you buying a home in Covina?

Buying a home is an intimidating event for a lot of people, but with a little planning ahead of time, it's not that confusing. So they understand exactly what they can expect, I like to give buyers an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
Before you commence your home search, there are many things you need to do. It's likely that you'll want to form a checklist of must-have features, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and start planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than 1/3 of your monthly income is a good guideline to adhere to.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
That's where I come in. I'd love to set up a time to get together with you and speak with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Covina area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you begin the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in Covina, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They'll help you decide which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin finding available homes on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the homes and ignore the bad ones, and then we'll book appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll show you the good features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you to point out what things you like and don't like. It's pretty common for buyers to change their must-have list as we tour houses and some items become more crucial than others. If such is the case, I'll go back through all the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
An agent's knowledge of the Covina market is a crucial factor in your home search. And I assure you I'm acquainted with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I will alert you to what districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

As we view houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and be sure to ask lots of questions, as every REALTOR in Covina will tell you they understand the housing market. If things don't add up, just call me at 6266087310 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. My market knowledge will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
I know we'll find your dream house in the Covina area. When we do, I'll meticulously develop your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

Upon turning in your offer, you'll likely want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is usually put towards the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the first offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll formulate a contract that is best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Once the deal is finalized, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, this won't take much time at all, but you should to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll sort out all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your application. The estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks adequate.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most likely occur at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and comfortable affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at 6266087310 or e-mail me at .