Buying or selling a home? In Home Realty can help.

For a lot of people, purchasing a home can be a stressful event. However, with some planning ahead of time, it isn't very hard. So they'll know exactly what to expect, I will supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have questions about this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are several things you'll want to take into account before commencing your home search. You'll want to put together an outline of items you want, get a feeling for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or close to 30 percent of your monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
That's where I can help. We can set up a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Covina area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you facilitate the loan process. In Home Realty works with some of the best mortgage professionals in Covina, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you in determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After we meet for the first time, I'll start looking for houses on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and throw out the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour homes, I'll point out good features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to talk about things you like and don't like. Most often, buyers change their wish list as we view homes and some features become far more crucial than others. If that happens, I'll search the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
My awareness of the Covina housing market is an imperative element in your home search. I am familiar with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can alert you to what areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

As we view homes, I'll let you know if the seller's list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Trust your instincts and make sure you ask your agent a lot of questions, as every REALTOR will claim to understand the home market. If it appears they don't know everything, call me at 6266087310 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. My understanding of the market will keep you a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm certain we'll find the house of your dreams in the Covina area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as obtaining financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When sending in your offer, you'll likely need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's most often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts don't close on the initial offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll put together a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Upon finishing the contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it shouldn't take much time at all, but you'll need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

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

Then we'll close on your house. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and easygoing event.

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