Why Do Buyers Choose Wendy?

Buyers often choose Wendy to represent them as her Realtor not only on her experience, but because of her passion and dedication to provide them with the best real estate experience ever. Wendy has a vast knowledge of the area including subdivisions, schools, and attractions that can help you find your perfect home! If you would like to discuss your move with Wendy she would be more than happy to get you started with your home search! Feel free to contact her through this website or give her a call at (281) 733-9806.

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Questions to Ask Your Realtor

When choosing a Realtor there are several questions you should ask so that you feel confident with the person helping you find your new home. The following list of questions is only a start to help you find the right professional to help you with your Real Estate needs. This is not a complete list of questions you should ask when interviewing potential Realtors, but they will help you get started!

• Why did you become a Realtor?
• How many years have you been a Realtor?
• How long have you lived in the area?
• What makes you different from the other agents in the area?
• What are common mistakes buyers often make?
• Can you provide me with a Comparative Market Analysis of the homes I am interested in?
• Will you provide me with local information?
• Are you a full-time Realtor?

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The Home Buying Process

When buying a home there are several steps you should follow in order to ensure a smooth transaction. The below list will help you along the way in your journey towards a new home!

1. GET EDUCATED - If you don't contact a realtor first, do at least take time to get educated both about the real estate values by shopping online and about getting pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Maximize your opportunities to find the right home by eventually sharing your property wants/needs and timeframe with a realtor.
   
   
2. Get Pre-Qualified - Finding the right lender can be a trying process, often your Realtor can provide you with several referrals to reputable lenders in which they do business. By getting pre-qualified you will be able to narrow your home search to homes you will easily be able to afford.
   
   
3. Hire an Agent - It’s important to understand the roles of professionals involved in buying a home. You may work with real estate agents, mortgage lenders, builders and contractors. Choose a professional who makes you feel comfortable and can provide the knowledge and services you need. A great Realtor will be able to assist you in finding your home, providing sound adivice, and help coordinate everyone involved in the purchase of your home.
   
   Your Realtor should:
   
   
   • Educate you about the market.
   • Evaluate your wants and needs in your new home.
   • Show your homes that meet your criteria.
   • Negotiate a price on your behalf.
   • Coordinate the needed steps with other profesionals (contractors, inspectors, lenders).
   • Double check all aspects of the transaction according to deadlines.
   • Represent you at closing.
     
     
4. Find Your Home - After hiring your agent you should easily be able to find the home of your dreams. Your agent will be able to provide you with the knowledge and tools to search for homes that meet your criteria. Your Realtor will show you homes on the market and will set you up on e-mail alerts to show you new homes that show up for sale. Carefully review these homes and let your Realtor know which ones appeal to you and why so that they may begin to narrow down the criteria in order to find the perfect home.
   
   
5. Make An Offer - Now that you have found your dream home it is time to make an offer. Your Realtor will be able to guide you in what price you should offer for the house. Things that will be taken into consideration include: current market conditions, how long has this home been on the market and what type of repairs or updates will you incur. When submitting your offer your Realtor will setup various terms in the contract such as a schedule of events leading up to closing, any items being conveyed at closing, negotiate commissions, determine closing costs, request a home warranty, and determine how much earnest money you, the buyer, will present to express your seriousness about purchasing the home.
   
   
6. Secure Financing - Now that you have found your dream home, it is time to secure the financing. Being that you followed these steps and became pre-approved, finalizing your funding should be fairly easy!

Your Lender should:


• Verify your information meeting the criteria for the loan.
• Shop for the best rates.
• Prepare all needed documents and verifications.
• Upon valid contract, submit package with appraisal to underwriters.
• Handle last minute conditions with underwriters.
  
  
7. Perform Due Diligence - When buying a home, the sale is final! There are no returns if you find defects after the closing. Your realtor will help you to scheudle an inspection, appraisal, and needed repairs in order to guarantee you are buying exactly the home you desire. If problems arise in the inspection that are not easily remedied, or the appraisal comes back below what you are offering, your agent will guide you in the necessary steps to terminate your offer, or renegotiate a purchase price that coincides with the true value of the house.
   
   
8. Close - The final stage in buying your home will be the closing. This is the stage in which you own the home, and can begin moving in! Prior to closing you must be sure to stay in control of your finances, keep in close contact with your agent in case of changes, obtain certified funds for anything you owe at the closing table, and perform a final walk through to ensure your house is in the condition it was when you wrote your offer.
   

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Tips For Buying New Construction

There are times when you, the home buyer, decide that a new home is direction you would like to go. In the event you choose to go this route, a Realtor can be your biggest asset. Your Realtor can help you to negotiate your purchase price, negotiate upgrades, schedule a move-in date, and negotiate other terms with the builder. The following tips can help you with your purchase of a new home.

Selecting a Builder - Selecting a home builder can be a draining task. Your first step should be to decide the type of architectural styles that appeal to you and search for builders who offer these types of designs. Preview models built by these builders, search for referrals from friends, and consult with your Realtor to determine the right builder for you.

Working with a Builder and your Realtor - Ultimately the representative for a builder's goal is to sell you a home. They will provide you with options, upgrades, warranties, and restrictions for the neighborhood. Your Realtor will help you to sift through all of this information, educate you, and help you to find a home that fits your needs! Additionally, your agent will watch out for your best interests by reviewing the builder's contract and presenting it in plain English, as their contracts often have additional legal jargon that can be confusing.

Timing - When buying a new home, timing is essential. If a builder has a large inventory on their hands his costs start to add up. When this happens builders are often known to make a great deal to start moving their inventory. Additionally, keep your eyes peeled for close-out sales. This often happens when a subdivision is nearly sold out and the builder is ready to move on to a new project.

How Much Can I Afford?

When it is time to go house shopping it is really helpful to know how much of a home you can afford. Knowing how much of a house you can afford will help you (and your Realtor) to narrow your house search down by price range. Knowing how much of a house you can afford will also help you to determine the other costs that are going to be involved with buying a home like a down payment, monthly mortgage payments and closing costs.