Real Estate Tips For Buyers

How I Can Help
Before you start looking
Closing Costs

My services and experience range from recommending lenders that can provide the financial advice you need, to helping you find the home that best suits you and your family.  As Your Agent, I Will:

• Assure that you will see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria.
• Guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing.
• Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Make sure all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more, and answered.
• For your convenience, I also provide listings by email. This is completely anonymous. This service only advises that someone was searching. If you need any help seeing a property, you'll need to let me know who you are and what you're looking for.

Before You Start Looking For Your New Home: (More information straight from SILVAR)

• Check your credit report for accuracy and completeness.
  Straighten out any errors before its too late. Buyers with inaccurate information on their credit report may have a hard time obtaining financing, or be offered loans at higher-than-market interest rates. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives consumers the right to a free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months. Visit https://www.annualcreditreport.com to request a report.
• Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment.

• Educate yourself about mortgages and mortgage fraud.
  Many mortgage products are available in today's market, but not all of them work for all buyers. NAR warns consumers against exotic loans and predatory lending practices that can poison the home buying process and trap unsuspecting borrowers into years of financial hardship. Visit www.REALTOR.com and research mortgage information, read the brochure, "Shopping for a Mortgage? Do Your Homework First," and consult a Realtor® to learn about different financing options and their implications over time.

  According to Fannie Mae, mortgage fraud has increased five-fold in the past 10 years. Unsuspecting home buyers who aren't familiar with an area's property values can be victimized by scam artists who have bought a property at a bargain-basement price and have made minor cosmetic changes to sell the home for much more than it's worth. People with blemished credit can also fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who pose as real estate agents or mortgage brokers, offering promises of a new home and mortgage qualification. These buyers end up assuming a loan they can't afford, and the lender forecloses.

  To protect yourself, work with a Realtor® who knows the local market, and check his or her credentials with the Realtor® board or association in your area.

• Choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. Here is information directly from our local real estate board, SILVAR (Silicon Valley Association of Realtors) to guide your interview and selection of a REALTOR® :

  "· Hire the right real estate professional for the job.
  When you're buying a home, would you know what to do if your financing fell through the day before closing, your home inspection found a termite infestation, or your future neighbors had just built a wall on your property?

  As a buyer, you want someone who knows the market and who has experience handling the particular needs of home buyers, whether it's identifying homes and neighborhoods, negotiating for the best deal, or coordinating the 20+ steps between contract acceptance and closing.

  "The recent real estate boom has encouraged an explosion of real estate licensees. But getting a license and succeeding as a professional in the industry are two very different things. To find a true real estate professional - one who will represent your interests and provide valuable insight and advice regarding what is likely your biggest investment - follow these steps.

  · Do your research.
  Drive around your neighborhood or the area you'd like to live in, and make note of the active real estate agents in the area. Call local brokerages for agent recommendations, and specify whether you are buying or selling a home.

  Visit www.REALTOR.com to search for Realtors® across the country. This site allows visitors to search for either a specific Realtor®, or for those who specialize in specific neighborhoods or have specific certifications and designations.

  · Ask trusted friends and relatives for referrals.
  According to the 2005 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 44 percent of all recent buyers were referred to their real estate agent through a friend, neighbor, or relative.

  · Interview at least three agents.
  Ask each about their business approach and philosophy (do they offer full service, or will you have to assume some responsibilities in the transaction); experience; designations and advanced training; and referral network (home inspectors, lenders, contractors, etc.). Home sellers should also ask about the number of homes sold in the past year, length of time on market, average sales price in relation to asking price, and the agent's marketing plan.

  · Make sure your agent is a Realtor®.
  A Realtor® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics, which obligates Realtors® to be honest with all parties involved in a transaction, whether it is the buyer, seller, or cooperating agent.

  Realtors® also have access to educational opportunities and training in real estate specialties that are not available to other licensees. This includes accredited subspecialties such as buyer's representation (ABR), residential real estate expertise (CRS), or Internet readiness (e-PRO).

  Through membership in NAR's affiliated institutes, societies, and councils, Realtors® devote themselves to continuous study of the most recent trends in their fields to stay abreast of industry developments in their specialized areas and better address industry issues.

  A real estate licensee has passed an exam; Realtors® are real professionals.

  For more buying and selling tips, visit the National Association of Realtors®' Web pages:

  http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/buy_or_sell.html "

Closing Costs to Expect:  We take all the time necessary to make sure you do understand.

• Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account.
• Third-party fees include charges for insurance, title search, and other inspections such as termites.
• Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes.
• Escrow fees and interest fees include homeowner's insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.
• Find out how much your closing costs could be. Email me directly requesting this information.

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