Buying or selling a home in Puyallup? FirstPoint Real Estate can help.

For a lot of people, buying a home can be a stressful event. But with some planning ahead of time, it's not that difficult. So they'll know exactly what they can expect, I will supply buyers with an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are a lot of things you should contemplate before starting your home search. When you begin your search, you'll want to assemble an index of features you need to have, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is around 1/3 of your monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Puyallup
This is where FirstPoint Real Estate comes in. We can set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Puyallup area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future.

In addition, I'll help you begin the loan process. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Puyallup, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can assist you with determining which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin finding homes on the market that suit your needs. I'll preview many of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour homes, I'll call attention to good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to amend their wish list as we view homes and some things become more crucial than others. If that's the case, I'll search all the listings again and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
An agent's knowledge of the Puyallup market is a crucial factor in your home search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to what areas are "hot" and demand prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for careful analysis.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as any REALTOR will claim to comprehend the home market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, just call me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I know we'll find the house of your dreams in Puyallup. When we do, I'll thoroughly create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are obtaining financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

When we present your offer, most likely you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is often put towards the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the initial offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on the state of the market. We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll create a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get your loan
Once we sign the final sales contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-approved, it won't take long at all. But you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will give you a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs within three days of accepting your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. The estimate is based on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a narrow range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your house. This should occur at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and relaxed affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply contact me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at .