Contemplating buying your new home in Lexington?

With a little up-front planning, purchasing a home isn't too complex, but the event is intimidating for many people. So they'll know exactly what they can expect, I will provide buyers with an overview of the entire deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Before you begin looking for a home, there are many things you'll want to contemplate. When you begin your search, you'll want to assemble a checklist of must-have features, get a feel for what school districts you'd like to live in, and start working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or around 1/3 of your net monthly income is a good guideline to follow.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd love to book a time to meet with you and communicate with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Lexington area.

I can also assist you with getting started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Lexington, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They'll assist you with deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start your home search
Following our initial meeting, I'll start looking for houses on the market that are great for you. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the homes and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes when it's most convenient for you.

As we view homes, I'll point out positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to amend their must-have list as we tour homes and some features become more necessary than others. If that happens, I'll search all the listings once more and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Know the market
My awareness of the Lexington home market is an imperative element in your home search. I'm acquainted with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to what districts are "hot" and demand prompt action and others that are "cold" and allow for more analysis.

As we tour houses, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as any real estate agent in Lexington will tell you they truly understand the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at 8036655253 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer your questions. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream house
We'll find the house of your dreams in the Lexington area, and when that happens, I'll precisely develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs and the home, including many contingencies, such as getting financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your offer, you'll probably need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property. The amount is typically applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close within 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts don't close on the first offer – it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll talk over whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions. In addition, we'll work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure a loan
Upon finishing the contract, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-qualified, this 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
Your mortgage lender will send you a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs within three days of getting your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your loan application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll go over the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and easygoing occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, just contact me at 8036655253 or e-mail me at .