Communication is everything.  Setting the right expectations up front and having the right communication with your team will assure that if and when changes occur you will not be caught off guard.  For this reason, we have prepared a list of things that you may come across during the home buying and financing process, frequently asked questions and do’s and don’ts for you to be mindful of as you purchase your next home.  Feel free to click the link for a PDF copy to add with your paperwork.  You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for tips and tricks to make the home buying process as painless as possible.

Buyers

1.   You will not be told the exact amount money to bring to closing until the day of your closing and many times only hours or minutes before the closing.  The Tealtors, Loan Officers and Title Agents can only offer close estimates based on the information that they have.  As the process moves forward, the infomation will be updated and so will you.
2.   The dates on your contract will change, perhaps multiple times.  This is very common as dates, terms and amounts are negotiated throughout the process.
3.  You will become anxious or nervous.  This is a natural response to the home buying process.  By remaining organized and in contact throughout the process you will limit your exposure to this response.
4.  You will become irritated or annoyed about frequent and last-minute paperwork requests with seemingly impossible deadlines.  Please remember, the process of buying the home is everchanging until about 24 hours before closing.
6.   You will negotiate 2-5 times on this transaction.  We refer to these as contingencies and they include the purchase price, the  inspection, potentially the appraisal, and the final walk-thru.
7. You will want to tell your friends and family about your experience on social media sites – Don’t!  Simple posts can be monitored by the listing agent that represents the seller.  While they are bound to treat all parties fairly, they do have to represent their clients best interests even above yours.  Your Buyers Agent is there to represent the best interests of you and your family.
8.  The mortgage company will pull another credit report, verify bank balances and employment on you the day before—or even the day of—your closing. Avoid making any changes from the time you prequalified for the loan and throughout the process of closing your home.

Sellers

1. The date on the contract will change; it is a guesstimate and subject to many variables (i.e., the attorney’s or closing agents timetable)
2. The property will not appraise at the original price on the contract.  While the appraisal is an opinion of value and the Appraiser will be suing some of the same tools we used to assess the listing price, there is always that chace that we will receive a lower than list price appraised value.
3. Agents will miss showing appointments without calling.  Although it is inconvenient to all parties, some agents will be stood up by their clients last minute changes offering them no time to communicate that change to us.
4. Appointments will be made and cancelled at the last minute.  This will happen all the time as some of our marketing efforts may attract buyers who are in the neighborhood to view another home.
5. The agent on the sign will be in witness protection and not return any phone calls
6. Some showings will last about five minutes and some showings will last 3 hours.  Allow the buyers to take as much time as they need to evaluate the home for their situation.
7. Agents will knock on your door or even drive by, see you in the yard, and ask if they can see your house,  If this happens, don’t allow them entry, avoid communication, call your own agent and request they follow the protocols in place so we can identify them for both peace if mind and safety.
8. Buyers will be visiting your house, keep it clean and remove any items that you would have concern of a child picked up. Buyers agents will keep their eye on the Buyers but at times they may split up or reach out and touch items on shelves.  If you are concerned about it, store it elsewhere.