Buying or selling a home in Punta Gorda? Marianne L. Lilly - RE/MAX Harbor Realty can help.

Purchasing a home can be stressful for most people. However, with a little planning ahead of time, it isn't that difficult. I like to supply buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what to expect. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer any questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Prior to starting your home search, there are plenty of things you'll want to consider. You'll want to assemble an outline of features you need to have, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment around 1/3 of your monthly income is a good guideline to adhere to.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. We can plan a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that may potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Punta Gorda area.

I'll also assist you with getting started on your loan. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Punta Gorda, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you determine which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start your home search
After our first meeting, I'll start searching for available houses on the market that best suit you. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the houses and exclude the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses when it's most convenient for you.

As we view houses, I'll show you the good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to talk about things you like and don't like. It's widely common for buyers to revise their wish list as we view houses and some features become more crucial than others. If that's the case, I'll go back through the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Understand the housing market
An agent's knowledge of the Punta Gorda home market is a crucial component in your house search. And I assure you I'm mindful of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I will communicate which areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for more examination.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be careful and make sure you ask lots of questions. Every REALTOR in Punta Gorda will tell you they understand the market. If things don't add up, call me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
We'll find your dream house in Punta Gorda, and when that happens, I'll meticulously create your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as getting financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

When sending in your offer, you'll probably need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure the offer to purchase the property. The amount is typically put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the property within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most deals aren't closed on the beginning offer, and it's really common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to accept the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get your loan
After the deal is signed, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, it won't take very long at all. But you'll need to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of accepting your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements order that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy. I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks okay.

Then we'll close on your home. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and relaxing occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, make sure you contact me at 9417647585 or e-mail me at .