Are you looking to purchase your new home in Covina? In Home Realty can help.

For most people, purchasing a home can be an intimidating event. However, with a little planning ahead of time, it's not too complicated. I like to supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are several things you need to consider before you start searching for a home. You'll want to assemble an index of features you want, get a feeling for what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. A good rule to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be close to 1/3 of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. We can schedule a time to meet so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the Covina area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Covina, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They will assist you with deciding which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
After our first meeting, I'll begin looking for houses on the market that are great for you. I'll research most of the homes and ignore the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the houses at a time that's convenient for you.

As we tour homes, I'll point out positive features, as well as bad ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and don't like. For the most part, buyers update their must-have list as we view homes and some things become more essential than others. If that's the situation, I'll look through the listings another time and trim it down to the home you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
An agent's understanding of the Covina home market is a fundamental agent in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I'll alert you to certain districts are "hot" and require immediate action and some that are "cold" and allow for careful examination.

When we tour homes, I'll let you know if the seller's asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be careful and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as every real estate agent in Covina will claim to know the market. If it appears they don't know everything, call me at 6266087310 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you have. My market expertise will keep you a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream home
I'm positive we'll find your dream house in the Covina area. When we do, I'll thoroughly create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including many contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clear title.

Upon turning in your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's typically put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the beginning offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on the state of the market. In addition, we'll work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll formulate a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Obtain your loan
Once we sign the final sales contract, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, this won't be a long process at all. However, you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a narrow range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks good.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely take place at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and hassle-free occurrence.

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