This is why realtors should ask you if you are working with another realtor as one of their first questions. If you are, they are not supposed to work with you. Choose a realtor carefully and let that agent be the main contact for any and all properties you want to see or buy. Realtors dont charge the buyer any fees for their services so its only fair that you use one Realtor exclusively so that they have a chance to earn a commission from the seller.

Second, get pre-approved for a loan. This is not required but is a good step since most sellers won’t allow you to make an offer unless you are pre-approved for a loan. If they don't allow you to make an offer, the house is still on the market and could be sold to another buyer before you get it done. Your realtor can help you with this process. You will have to do this either before or after you find a house so its best to do it before. Also, I highly recommend letting your realtor help you choose a mortgage company. We work with many different companies and know first hand which ones are the easiest and fastest to work with. This is the most time consuming part of the entire process and having a mortgage company that is slow and incompetent will only complicate and delay the process. If you are not pre-approved, we need to start today!!!

The Buying Process, Step by Step

• Contact me about being your Realtor

• Find a home to see (both you and I will be looking for potential homes to see)

• Make an appointment with me to show the home (repeat as necessary)

• Once you find a house you like, together, we will fill out the form to make an offer

• I will go over all forms and options associated with making an offer

• The offer will then go to the selling agent

• Selling agent will either accept the offer or make a counter offer.

• Once a final offer is accepted by the seller, the house is officially under contract and cannot be sold to anyone else unless the terms of the contract are broken or expire

• The offer will then go to your mortgage broker. If you do not have one, I will recommend one.

• You will then work directly with the mortgage company and supply them with the information and documents they need to secure your home loan.

• Meanwhile, I will begin scheduling things like termite and home inspections.

• Once the loan is ready, the mortgage broker will send the appropriate paperwork to the closing attorney.

• The closing attorney will contact you or I with a closing date and time. Usually 30 to 45 days after offer is accepted is normal but depending on the loan type and any complications, it could take up to 60 days. I will go over with you everything you need to bring to closing.

• I will schedule a walkthrough at the new house or property with you probably the day before closing.

• At closing:
  > You will have to sign a ton of papers (you, your spouse and anyone else on the note or deed)
  > You will have to pay your down payment (if required)
  > You will have to pay the closing costs (if by contract you agreed to pay them)
  > You will have to pay the first year of property taxes
  > You will have to pay for the first year of home insurance
  > A check will be cut (from the seller) to pay 3% commission to the sellers agent and 3% commission to the buyers agent, which is me (the buyer never has to pay their realtor)

• You now own this home or property!!!

Notes:

• Keep in mind that it can take 30 to 60 days from the time you make a contract on a home until the day you can move in.

• Homes sell fast! If you find one you like, you better jump on it or it will sell to someone else!

• If you are looking for a new home or property, my help doesn't cost you anything. I do not charge buyers to help them find or buy that new home, farm or property.

• What kind of homes for sale can we look at? All kinds! Just please go through me for any home you want to look at so that I can make appointments with them for you to see them and research items about that home.
  >  For sale by another real estate group
  >  For sale by owner
  >  For sale by a bank

• If you find a home that you are interested in, contact me with the address and MLS# (if you know it). I will then make appointments with the owner or selling agent for you to see them and research info about that home. Many home owner request a 24 to 48 hour notice before it can be shown. Vacant homes can sometimes be shown quicker. Feel free to drive by a home to look at it but please do not go onto the property or approach the home owners without me. That can cause a problem and lose you the chance at that home.