top of page

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A BUYER

1. PRE-APPROVAL:

The first step in your home buying journey is to obtain a PRE-APPROVAL from a lender starting the terms of your future loan and amount you are qualified for. A Pre-Approval also can help ensure you are in your comfort zone for a monthly payment. This process includes:                                        
  • Running Credit
  • Providing complete financials
  • Run an automated approval
Getting a Pre-Approval in the beginning is important to ensure a smooth Escrow. If you do not have a lender, we can help guide you to one that will work best for you and your family. 

2. PROPERTY SEARCH:

Upon loan approval we will be setting you up on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) portal that will be customized to meet all of your future home wants and needs. The MLS service will send you e-mails as soon as homes that meet your criteria hit the market. You are able to mark homes as favorites, possibilities, or put them in the trash. You will be able to leave notes on the homes with questions or comments that allow us to keep you informed, and to make sure are sending homes that interest you. The MLS system is very accurate and up-tp-date. We will also let you know when we personally have new listings coming up (pre-listed properties) FYI: What you see on Zillow, Trulia and other websites may not be accurate and up-to-date.

3. VIEWING HOMES:

Once you have found homes that you wish to view, we will set up a day and time to start looking. Homes may have viewing time restrictions, or special instructions for showing. This stage in the buying process takes time and patience, but is also fun. We are here to guide you and make sure this is an exciting experience for you and your family.

4. PRESENTING AN OFFER:

Once you have decided on a home that you want to make an offer on, we will guide you with details on the purchase price by comparing other sales in the area and other details that need to be written in the offer. Along with writing an offer, we will need an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) that will be kept safely in out trust log at Big Block Realty. The amount of the EMD is usually 1% of the purchase price. A solid EMD and pre-approval letter will help make your offer as strong as possible. At this point we suggest you contact your lender to obtain an itemized fee work sheet to include cost, payment and taxes.

5. OFFER ACCEPTANCE:

Upon acceptance of your offer, we will send in the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) within the first 24-hours to be deposited into escrow. The deposit is needed to open escrow and get the transaction started. Escrow will not open until the deposit is in place.

6. OPENING ESCROW

Escrow wil mail you the buyer's package usually within 7-days after escrow has officially opened. The escrow officer assigned will work closely with us as well as the lender. During the escrow process there will be a great deal of paperwork to read and sign. Paperwork can be overwhelming, but escrow will go through it with you to give you the opportunity to completely understand what you are signing and why.

7. SELLER PROPERTY DISCLOSURES:

You will receive an e-mail with Seller Property Disclosures from our Transaction Coordinator (TC), Ashley Thomas after escrow has opened. Once you review the disclosures, and we have answered any questions you may have, Ashley will send over disclosures to you electronically to sign via Doc-U-Sign.

8. HOME APPRAISAL

It is important that your lender order a Home Appraisal on the home within 48-hours of the contract being accepted. Typical turnaround time for appraisals in 6 to 10 business days, or sooner. By law your lender is required to provide you a copy of the appraisal report once received. 

9. HOME PURCHASE UPDATES:

I will be give you weekly updates on your escrow to make sure you are informed of every step of your home purchase.

10. HOME INSPECTION

We will provide you a list of Home Inspection companies for you to choose from. The home inspection needs to take place within the first 7-days of escrow opening. We highly recommend you do a home inspection. A home inspection protects you as a future homeowner and gives you the opportunity to get to know your home prior to moving in. Home inspections are cost friendly. You will pay for the service at the time of the inspection. The company you choose will give you a detailed report of your home once the inspection is complete and list any concerns that may arise.

11. REQUEST FOR REPAIR:

Once we receive the Home Inspection Report, we will do a Request for Repairs (RR) We will go over the report and determine what Health and Safety issues you would like to request the seller to repair. We will send the Request for Repair report over to the Selling Agent for him/her to present to the seller. We will do our best to negotiate requested repairs. Home Inspection findings do not require the seller to repair all items listed. The seller has the choice to repair SOME of the items, ALL of the items, or NONE of the items.

12. CONTINGENCY REMOVAL:

17-days are given to ensure the inspections and appraisal are completed before the Contingency Removal. There are 21-days for the loan to be approved. On day 17, the first set of contingencies are to be removed. On day 21, all contingencies are to be removed. This is done to ensure we are on track to close escrow on time. If we do not release contingencies, the seller may send over a Notice to Perform. (Additional conditions may be requested by the lender at final loan approval prior to doc conditions.)

13. EXTENSION OF ESCROW:

An Extension of Escrow will be put in place in the event we need to extend your escrow close date. We will ensure all parties involved are informed of the extension time, and make certain all involved are in agreement

14. FINAL WALK-THROUGH:

A Final Walk-Through is scheduled approximately 7-days prior to closing escrow. The home walk-through gives you the opportunity to verify any or all repairs were completed, and that the home is in the same condition as when you first viewed it. A final walk-through will also occur at approximately  the same time you sign loan documents. Escrow will contact you once they have received the loan docs. They will set up an appointment with you to either come into the office, or a notary will come to you. This is the time to call to set up your utilities. We can provide you with a Utility List.

15. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW HOME:

Escrow has closed, and we will be providing you the keys to your new home that have been supplied by the seller. Included may also be mailbox keys, garage door openers, additional house keys, gate remotes, etc. The transfer of keys may be as late as 6:00pm on the date of recording or as agreed upon by the seller in the original offer.
bottom of page