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

For most people, buying a home can be a stressful event. However, with some up-front planning, it's not very confusing. I like to provide buyers with an overview of the whole deal so they know exactly what to expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have any questions regarding any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
Before you start searching for a home, there are a lot of things you should take into account. It's likely that you'll want to put together a checklist of items you want to have, get a feel for what neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good rule to adhere to.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent in Puyallup
This is where FirstPoint Real Estate can help. We'll set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Puyallup area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision 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 work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll assist you in choosing which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a house
After our first meeting, I'll begin searching for houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and remove the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll identify good features and bad ones. I'll even ask you what things you like and dislike. It's widely common for buyers to amend their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some items become more important than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings one more time and trim it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
Your agent's knowledge of the Puyallup home market is a leading agent in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I can alert you to what districts are "hot" and demand prompt action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful examination.

When we view houses, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Every REALTOR in Puyallup will claim to know the housing market, but be on guard, and make sure you ask your agent plenty of questions. If it appears they don't know everything, call me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer your questions. My market knowledge will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
We'll find the house of your dreams in Puyallup, and when that happens, I'll carefully develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include some contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clear title.

When we submit your purchase offer, most likely you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is most often applied to the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most contracts aren't closed on the first offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll put together a contract that is best for you.

Step 7 – Secure a loan
Once the contract is complete, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, it won't take much time at all. However, you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your application. The estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks good.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will probably take place at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and pleasant affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you contact me at 253.299.2088 or e-mail me at .