Taking the Guesswork Out of Buying

You’ve decided to make the leap into homeownership! BEST Real Estate can make the home buying process easier. Since your home will most likely be the largest investment you will ever make, it’s important to stay organized and focused. Follow these tips and before you know it, you’ll be living in your ideal home.

Organize your paperwork

Your tax documents, pay stubs and bank statements are documents that a mortgage broker needs in order to verify your financial health. Also, check your credit score to make sure it is in tip-top shape. If necessary, make corrections to your credit report.

Get pre-approved

To finance your new home, meet with a mortgage company. Pre-approval for a home loan is a good gauge of how much you can borrow and it shows home sellers that you have the backing to buy.

Set a budget.

Know your total budget, which not only includes the price of the home but also closing costs and fees. Also consider post-purchase expenses such as moving fees, security systems, and furnishings.

Make a list.

 Determine what your family truly needs in a new home. Anticipate your future needs, such as will your family be growing or will your job location be changing? Prioritize your list and decide what features are a must have and what amenities can be sacrificed. Having a vision of what you want makes it easier to communicate what you are looking for to your Realtor.

Location, location, location.

Location is crucial when searching for your home. Only you can decide which location is best for you. A few considerations include: How far do you want to commute to your job? Are the community schools highly rated? Do you require nearby neighborhood services such as public transportation, shopping and senior resources? You should also think about the location’s impact on the resale value of the property if you are anticipating selling in the next few years.

Get on the Web.

One of the best ways to start your home search is on the Internet. On Web sites such as www.BestRealEstateMI.com you can search for properties, find a Realtor, determine mortgage payments, research communities and so much more.

Find the right Realtor.

There is no one better who can help you find your ideal home than a Realtor. They are experts in the local trends and can help you with everything from gathering community information to taking a home tour to finding moving services. Plus, Realtors can greatly reduce the amount of pressure you feel during this stressful time. Find a Realtor you trust and who is a good match for you. Coldwell Banker simplifies this process with our Find an Independent Agent search.

Take notes or bring a camera.

While touring homes, write down a few notes or take photos of things you like and dislike in the home and others that you may not. This way, when you evaluate the homes you have visited, you will have the pros and cons of each. Just remember to jot down which photos and videos go with which notes.

Make an offer.

When you find a home that meets your needs, it’s time to make an offer. Your Realtor can help determine an appropriate price and will help you negotiate the offer.

The all-important home inspection.

A home inspection is a great way to find any potential hiccups the home may have that you did not see during the initial home tour. Once you know what needs attention, if anything, your Realtor can go back to the seller to discuss items that should be taken care of before purchasing the home.

Close the deal.

Closing is the final step in completing a real estate transaction. At the closing, ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer and any costs incurred by either the buyer or the seller beyond the price of the property itself are paid.

The house is yours! 

The final papers have been signed and you have the keys to your home. It’s time to move!

Home Selling Process

As you prepare to sell your home, we appreciate the opportunity to assist you in one of life’s most important events. Our full-service marketing represents our ongoing reliability and service, and our commitment is to meet and exceed your expectations. Below are some of the key components of the home selling process.

You’re ready to sell your home!

Your first step is to have your BEST Real Estate sales associate assist you with practical ideas on how to successfully prepare your house for sale. If you are not already working with a BEST Real Estate sales associate, you can select one by clicking on our Sales Team Link.

What should I list my home for?

There are many factors that affect the list price of a home: location, condition, amenities, supply and demand, and local and global market conditions. Your sales associate will assist you by providing a thorough market analysis of your property so you will be able to come up with a realistic, competitive pricing strategy on your home.

What is the Seller’s Disclosure Form?

Most sellers of single- and multi-family residential homes are required to provide potential buyers with a completed and signed Seller’s Disclosure form. Please ask one of our Sales Team members for more information.

Full Service Marketing and Personally Customized Service

At BEST Real Estate our goal is to not simply sell your house, but help you realize the best price obtainable for your property.

The relationship between you and your Sales Associate is the key to the successful sale of your home. Your home and your needs are unique; therefore your sales associate won’t use a pre-designed plan to sell your property. Your Realtor will listen to your goals, address your concerns, and use his or her knowledge and experience to create a custom plan that will effectively result in a sale.

A Buyer is Ready to Present an Offer

When an offer is presented, your  sales associate will advise and help you to obtain the best possible price and terms. Understanding the standard forms and the many transactional issues is key to negotiating the best terms to meet your individual needs. Making sure buyers are pre-qualified is of utmost importance in negotiating a successful sale. Your Realtor will promote your interests and assist in developing a clear and binding transaction.

Typically an offer is initiated by the buyer through their  sales associate and includes the following information:

  • The amount the buyer is willing to pay

  • Mortgage amount, if any

  • Closing and occupancy dates

  • Contingencies, such as mortgage commitment, building inspections and pest inspections to include where appropriate (but not limited to): termite, pest, radon, well, lead, septic, oil tank.

  • Any personal property specifically included or excluded.

  • If the offer is not acceptable to you, further negotiations may be necessary to reach terms agreeable to both you and the buyer. Because counter-offers are common (any change in the offer can be considered a counter-offer) it is important that you remain in close contact with your sales associate during the negotiation process so that proposed changes can be reviewed and responded to quickly.

You have an Acceptable Offer

Once again, because the Contract writing procedure, down payments required, building inspection contingency dates, etc…varies, please consult with your  sales associate so that they can inform you of the immediate action steps. Timing is critical at this stage!

Between Contract and Closing

Throughout the transaction, we need to closely monitor the progress of all contingencies to make certain that all deadlines are met. On the day of closing, the buyer will have a “final walkthrough” to make certain that the house is left in “broom clean” condition and/or has been thoroughly vacated.

What to Expect at the Closing

The closing is a formal process where all parties sign all of the necessary paperwork needed to complete the transaction. Title to the property is transferred from you to the buyer. The buyer receives the house keys if they are taking immediate possession and you receive payment for the house! From the amount credited to you, the title representative subtracts the funds to pay off the existing mortgage and other transaction costs. Deeds, loan papers, and other documents are prepared, signed and ultimately filed with local property record office.

After the Closing

Should any questions or concerns come up that you need answered your sales associate is available to you.

See why we are the Best In The Biz!

Contact us for your real estate needs today.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, Best Real Estate will help you navigate the entire process from start to finish.