| Buying a Home in Tuolumne County |
| Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home in Tuolumne County meets your needs. For your convenience, I also provide access to current real estate pricing in "Northern" Tuolumne County. You'll see homes for sale in places like Sonora, Columbia, Tuolumne, Twain Harte and Mi Wuk. It's easy to do and once you have set your search priorities you can receive up to date listings by email. I pride myself on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why. As Your Agent, I Will: Assure that you see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria. Guide you through the entire home buying process, from providing Community Information, finding homes and getting the best financing. Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes. Answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more. Before You Start Looking For Your New Home: Check your credit rating. Straighten out any errors before its too late. Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment. Find a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved). Choose a REALTOR® that you trust and who understands your needs. Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs. Identify important features you need your new home to have. Closing Costs to Expect: 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 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. Services I provide for Home Buyers 1. Explain the benefits of a Buyer-Broker Agreement. 2. Determine the approximate price range for which the buyer can qualify. 3. Describe the services lenders and loan brokers perform. 4. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of various types of home financing. 5. Explain loan fees and their relationship to the cost and rate of loans. 6. Provide ideas for alternate methods of finance or purchase. 7. Explain the use and benefit of a lender pre-qualification letter. 8. Explain the use and benefit of a lender pre-approval letter. 9. Provide a choice of several lenders or loan brokers. 10. Review your financial and personal plans as they relate to real estate. 11. Make sure you are buying a home that meets your needs. 12. Provide you with an "Agency Disclosure Statement". 13. Explain the Agency Disclosure Statement. 14. Assist in developing a prioritized list of home selection criteria. 15. Keep track of those criteria when analyzing various properties. 16. Inform you of possible tax benefits in purchasing real estate. 17. Explain some of the drawbacks of real estate ownership. 18. Explain how the structure of your purchase can affect you financially. 19. Help to determine the most advantageous time to make an offer. 20. Help to determine the most advantageous time to close your escrow. 21. Provide a sample copy of the purchase agreement for you to study. 22. Provide a list of appropriate neighborhoods in your price range. 23. Provide rating data about local schools. 24. Provide locations and characteristics of shopping areas. 25. Provide information about local and regional transportation systems. 26. Share information about available recreation facilities. 27. Explain sports facilities and programs that exist locally. 28. Provide information on various churches and religious institutions. 29. Give facts and resources on any negative aspect of the local area. 30. Explain how the Realtor Multiple Listing System (MLS) works. 31. Search the MLS for appropriate properties. 32. Examine local newspapers for appropriate homes.* 33. Use the internet to find properties that meet client's parameters.* 34. Review preforeclosure properties for that might be suitable for you.* 35. Check “For-Sale-By-Owner" properties which may suit your needs.* 36. Contact owners of property and arrange to show homes to you. 37. Efficiently show appropriate homes at times convenient to you. 38. Share personal knowledge about local history, weather, political activity, or other factors which may affect your purchasing decision. 39. Explain real estate terminology throughout the home buying process. 40. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various styles of homes. 41. Discuss the pros and cons of various building materials. 42. Describe how the orientation of the home affects its comfort. 43. Show you how to add value to a home that may not be perfect, but has most of the features you require. 44. Act as a "sounding board" in your decision making process. 45. Provide information about the seller's motivation for selling. 46. Provide a "Comparative Market Analysis" to determine an appropriate offering price. 47. Write an offer which will best meet your needs and protect your interests. 48. Explain the significance of various clauses in the agreement. 49. Explain the lender's appraisal process. 50. Make sure that events and conditions agreed upon in the contract can be realistically performed within time limits provided. 51. Provide a written estimate of the costs to close the escrow, including down payment and the monthly payment under the terms of your offer. 52. Explain how offers to purchase property are presented. 53. Make an appointment to present your offer that meets everyone's' schedule. 54. Present your offer to the seller in a professional manner. 55. Add credibility to your offer by confirming your ability to perform under the terms of the agreement. 70. If requested, provide a list of reputable companies for environmental inspection. 71. If requested, provide a list of reputable companies for lead inspection. 72. Make arrangements for the various inspections, as required. 73. Be present, if possible, when inspections are conducted to add clarity to written report. Inspections usually take place during the work day. 74. Help interpret which report items are relatively minor and which require further clarification; 75. Assist in finding the least costly solutions to problems in reports. 76. Re-negotiate with seller to pay for items which are important, or a matter of health and safety. 77. Arrange, as requested, to have another expert give an opinion in cases where experts express differing opinions; 78. Arrange for repairs, as necessary. 79. Provide a Transfer Disclosure Statement from the seller. 80. Gather information about any items disclosed which may be of concern. 81. Rewrite the contract, as needed. 82. Provide Seismic Hazard Report, as applicable. 83. Provide Flood Zone Report. as applicable. 84. Provide a Smoke Detector Confirmation Statement. 85. Provide FIRPTA disclosure to seller. 86. Give the buyer a choice of title and/or escrow company. 87. Open escrow. 88. Deposit earnest money. 89. Review terms. price and projected closing date with escrow officer. 90. Inform the officer of all parties to the transaction and how to contact them, 91. Provide the officer with conditions and data needed to order payoff demand from existing lender. 92. Order a Preliminary Title Report. 93. Explain Title Insurance and any exceptions to it. 94. Review Preliminary Title Report for any "clouds on title", unforeseen liens, easements or encroachments which could delay closing. 95. Explain any Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as appropriate. 96. Make sure that pending sales has been reported to MLS. 97. Closely follow deadlines listed in the contract. Errors in timing can nullify the agreement. 98. Work with lender to provide information and approvals as stipulated. 99. Provide weekly updates on escrow progress to buyer. 100. Arrange for buyers to inspect the property again, as needed. 101. Explain the protections provided by a Home Warranty Plan. 102. Order a Home Warranty. as requested. 103. Explain Home Owner's insurance requirements. 104. Assist in arranging for Home Owner's insurance, as requested. 105. Provide a list of reputable moving companies, as requested. 106. Provide a list of telephone numbers for the local gas, electric, water, garbage and cable TV companies. 107. Arrange for a smooth transfer in utility service from seller to buyer. 108. Help buyers locate temporary housing, as needed. 109. Assist buyers in locating reliable child care, as requested. 110. Coordinate move out by seller and move in by buyer. 111. Negotiate for buyers if the escrow process takes longer than expected. 112. Negotiate Interim Occupancy Agreement, as required. 113. Draw up a rental agreement if seller needs to stay after Close of Escrow. 114. Conduct a final "walk through" property inspection to assure that nothing significant has changed since the Purchase Agreement was signed. 115. Make arrangements to rectify any problems discovered during walk through. 116. Provide written explanation of the various ways to hold title to real property. 117. Review the closing documents for accuracy. 118. Explain closing papers to buyer. 119. Arrange for wire transfer of funds, as necessary. 120. At all times, protect the buyer's interest and more.... |
