Buying a new home in Bakersfield?

Buying a home is an intimidating event for most people, but with a little planning ahead of time, it isn't very confusing. So they understand exactly what to expect, I will give buyers an overview of the whole deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to address any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase
There are many things you need to consider before you start looking for a home. You'll probably want to make an index of must-have features, get a feeling for what school districts you want to live in, and start working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to a third of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. I'd be more than happy to plan a time to meet with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that may potentially affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Bakersfield area.

In addition, I'll help you begin the loan process. I work with some of Bakersfield's finest mortgage professionals, so you're in great hands. They can assist you with deciding which kind of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start your home search
After our initial meeting, I'll begin looking for houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of many of the homes and exclude the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the homes, I'll identify good features, as well as bad ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. As a rule, buyers change their must-have list as we tour houses and some items become more important than others. If that's the case, I'll look through the listings one more time and narrow it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
An agent's awareness of the Bakersfield housing market is a necessary component in your house search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can communicate certain areas are "hot" and require prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the seller's list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be mindful and be sure to ask lots of questions, as every REALTOR will tell you they know the market. If things don't add up, just call me at 661-205-5475 or e-mail me at , and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will help you stay 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 house of your dreams in Bakersfield. When we do, I'll thoroughly develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the inspection, and a clean title.

When we present your purchase offer, most likely you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is usually put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most deals don't close on the initial offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm 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 move on.

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

Step 7 – Obtain your 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-approved, it shouldn't take long at all, but you should to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs within three days of accepting your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements order 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 it all looks adequate.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely happen at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and pleasant occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just call me at 661-205-5475 or e-mail me at .