Buyers Guide

Build Your Green File.
A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property.  The typical green file should contain:

  • Financial statements
  • Bank accounts
  • Investments
  • Credit cards
  • Auto loans
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Tax returns for two years
  • Copies of leases for investment properties
  • 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.

Check Your Credit Rating. 
Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price.  It is first recommended to check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that we can determine what you can afford.  The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  We will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, and commercial and investment real estate fields.

Be Careful With Your Finances.
Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

Buying a property requires making many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues and completing a lot of paperwork. It helps to have an expert in your corner when undertaking such a large purchase. We can guide you through this process, and also provide you with access to property listings before they hit the general market.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing your real estate professional:

  • Look for a full-time agent – one who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.
  • Interview a few agents: Are they familiar with the area in which you are interested?
  • Ask how much time the agent will have for you, and if they are available at night and on weekends.
  • Ask about their credentials and education: A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends and hold the highest designations in their respective fields of expertise.
  • Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to buy a property.
  • Ask for a list of properties they have sold or a list of references.
  • Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns.  Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable.
Take a Drive.
Get to know the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions, which interest you.  Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.

Narrow Your Search.
Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long term resale value of the properties you are considering.  Finding the right house is a process, be patient, you may need to see quite a few houses before “THE ONE” comes along.  As you look you will refine your wants and needs, and your agent will learn exactly what type of home you are looking for.  Once your agent gets an idea of just what you are looking for they can also suggest properties available on MLS

When its time to make an offer.

Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property.  An agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you the advantage over another offer. 
Inspections.  Once your offer is accepted by the seller, you will need to have a licensed property inspector inspect the property within the timeframe that was agreed upon in the effective contract to purchase.  You may elect to have different inspectors inspect the property, if you wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (eg. roof, HVAC, structure).  If you are purchasing a commercial property, then you will need to have an environmental audit done on the site for the lending institution.  We can recommend several different inspectors. 

Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:

  1. Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the close, or
  2. The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).

Appraisal and Lending.  It is imperative that you keep in close communication with your lender, who will let you know when additional documents are needed to approve your loan application and fund your loan.  If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution, via a third party.  This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate.  Appraisers are specialists in determining the value of properties, based on a combination of square footage measurements, building costs, recent sales of comparable properties, operating income, etc.  When you are within two weeks of closing, double check with your lender to be sure the loan will go through smoothly and on time.

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