Shop for A Home. Now for the fun part! I’ll help you draw up a “wish list” of everything you’re looking for in not just your new home, but your new community as well. I’ll match your must-haves with your budget and then draw on my local expertise and network of industry colleagues to help you find a place that’s everything you wished for. Shopping for a home is exciting, so just have fun with it!
Shop for A Home. Now for the fun part! I’ll help you draw up a “wish list” of everything you’re looking for in not just your new home, but your new community as well. I’ll match your must-haves with your budget and then draw on my local expertise and network of industry colleagues to help you find a place that’s everything you wished for. Shopping for a home is exciting, so just have fun with it!
Get Your Finances in Order. At this stage, our job is to maneuver all the financial pieces to ensure you are confident and well educated on all the numbers so you’ll be ready to make a solid offer on your dream home. Our recommended network of lenders and financial experts will help tighten up your credit, determine exactly how much you can afford for both a home and a down payment/closing costs, and make sure you’re formally pre-approved for a loan, all with the goal of ensuring that you are a serious buyer.
Make an Offer and Negotiate. You’ve found the home you love and you’re ready to make an offer! I will help you formulate a fair, data-driven purchase offer based on a current market analysis (comparative home sales), and prepare the purchase agreement (contract). Then, I’ll leverage smart negotiating skills to guide you through contingencies and ensure you don’t spend any more than you need to. At this point, we pause our house shopping and wait for an offer reply from the seller.
Once your offer is accepted, we begin the Title and Escrow process (generally lasts between 14-30 days before closing) and your Lender will prepare and have you sign your loan disclosures based on the actual purchase contract.
After your offer is accepted, the Transaction Process Begins (also known as the Title and Escrow process).
The Transaction time frame from start to finish is typically anywhere from 17-25 days (this can vary based on the offer) after we have an accepted offer and open Escrow at the Title company. The Title Company is a third party that works on behalf of both the lender and the buyer/seller. You hire them to research and insure the title of the home you’re buying. Title companies usually manage the closing on your home. This service may also be called “settlement.”
The Title Company works hard in the background performing various tasks to close timely. Some of those tasks include researching/verifying the chain of Title, any Liens and clearing any issues that may be present.
During the first week of Escrow (or sometimes before we even submit an offer), we will receive all the Seller Disclosures to review and sign.
Your Lender will also have you sign loan disclosures and order your Property Appraisal. Generally, your Lender will collect this Appraisal fee from you via a credit/debit card during Escrow to pay the Appraisal Management Company (approximately $600 – $800) PAID WITHIN A FEW DAYS AFTER AN ACCEPTED OFFER (this money is non-refundable should we need to cancel a contract for any reason).
You will also need to obtain a Homeowners Insurance Quote (aka: Hazard Insurance) and provide it to your Lender as soon as possible.
After the Appraisal is completed, we will review the report and determine a strategy for negotiation if needed.
Conduct Property Inspections. Once your offer is accepted, you can elect to inspect the property. We generally schedule inspections right away, within the first few days after your offer is accepted. If you don’t already have your own inspection companies, we can recommend reputable Inspectors. Home inspections detect issues that aren’t apparent on a walk-through and can possibly be a powerful negotiating tool. If issues arise, we’ll work with you to develop strategies on how best to proceed.
Any type of Home Inspections you choose can range from about $600 and up depending on what type of inspections you want to do. Since you pay the Inspection Company directly, these fees are NOT included in your closing costs from your lender and are your opportunity to do your due diligence and learn everything about the property before we close escrow. If for some reason we cancel escrow, your inspection money is non-refundable and is separate from your transaction costs.
After the Inspections are completed, we review the reports and determine a strategy for negotiation if needed.
Approximately a week prior to closing, your Lender will work closely with the Title Company to send them your Loan documents, verify all the numbers and schedule your final signing. Your Lender will also send you an estimated final CD (Closing Disclosure) which outlines all of the final closing costs, including the final amount you need to pay to the Title Company, prior to your signing appointment. This final payment is typically in the form of a Cashier’s Check or a Wire Transfer to the Title company (consult with your Lender about how this should be paid to ensure a timely closing). A few days prior to closing escrow you will sign buyer documents at the Title company or with a Notary (there is a Notary fee charged to the Buyer for this service).
Usually, a day or two after your signing, the Lender will typically fund/wire the loan amount to Title. Once the Lender’s funds are received by Title, Title will send the transaction to the County Recorder’s Office to record you as the new owner and notify the Agents and Lender that we are officially closed Escrow!
After Title has confirmed Close of Escrow, we collect keys! Time to Celebrate! But wait! Don’t schedule your moving truck or place any personal belongings at the property on the day of closing since we never know what time we will close and you are officially the new homeowner. Make sure you contact all the Utility Companies and have them turned on in your name at the property effective the day after close of escrow. Don’t forget to also change your mailing address!
After Closing, your Lender and I will keep in touch. We are always here for you, even in the future. The Lender will make sure you have the best loan and interest rate for your situation and I’ll keep you updated on your Home’s Value. If you decide later that you need a larger or smaller home or are looking to purchase an investment property, we’re your team of professionals! Or, you may just need some good referrals for something, remember to call us first, we have lots of great resources!
If you have a mortgage loan and also have your Impounds (Taxes and Hazard Insurance) rolled into your monthly loan payment, your loan servicer will automatically pay your semi-annual “secured” property tax installments for as long as you have this mortgage.
My Journey as Realtor
Services
Client Testimonials
Neighborhood
Feature Listings
Seller Guide
Buyer Guide
Probate Guide
Monthly Newsletters
© 2025 Created with Skyline Webcraft
My Journey as Realtor
Services
Client Testimonials
Neighborhood
Feature Listings
Seller Guide
Buyer Guide
Probate Guide
Monthly Newsletters
© 2025 Created with Skyline Webcraft
