Are you contemplating purchasing your home in Puyallup? FirstPoint Real Estate can help.

Buying a home is intimidating for most people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't too difficult. I like to furnish buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they understand exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. Should you have questions regarding this information or if you're prepared to get started, you can contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase
There are a lot of things you'll want to take into account before you start looking for a home. When you start your search, you'll probably want to make a list of items you want, get a feel for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin working on your budget. A good guideline to go by is that your mortgage payment should be no more than a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd be more than happy to schedule a time to meet with you and communicate with you about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, school districts in the Puyallup area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

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

Step 3 – Start looking
After our initial meeting, I'll begin looking for homes on the market that are good for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll show you the good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. It's common for buyers to revise their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some items become more necessary than others. If such is the case, I'll search the listings another time and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Know the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Puyallup market is an imperative factor in your house search. And I can assure you I'm acquainted with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will alert you to what districts are "hot" and demand immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the list price has room for bargaining and when I think the house is "priced to sell." Any real estate agent will claim to truly understand the housing market, but be on guard, and make sure you ask your agent plenty of questions. If things don't add up, contact me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I'm sure we'll find the home of your dreams in Puyallup. When we do, I'll thoroughly develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include several contingencies, such as getting financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clear title.

When submitting your purchase offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure an offer to buy the property, and it's often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts don't close on the beginning offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a contract that is best for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
After we sign the final sales contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-qualified, this won't take very long at all. However, you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll care for all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a close range of accuracy. I'll go over the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

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

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, simply call me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at .