The Home-Buying Process

1. The first step to finding a home is to talk with a lender. A lender will identify the best price range for your new home and estimate your total monthly payments.
2. Next, talk with Matt O’Neill, your real estate agent, about the type of home you would like to purchase (i.e. size, bedrooms, bathrooms, stories, age, area, etc.)
3. Call your real estate agent whenever you see a home you are interested in seeing and let agents selling homes KNOW YOU HAVE A REALTOR. Remember, YOUR real estate agent is the only agent who is working to protect YOUR best interests. Your agent can show you any house regardless of the seller.
4. Once you’ve found the home you would like to purchase, work with your agent to write an offer. The negotiation process might take more than one offer and counter offer before it is accepted by both parties.

1. Select Your Mortgage Company
   • This needs to be done as soon as possible to ensure your mortgage company has enough time to process your loan before closing
2. Schedule Your Home Inspection
   • Select a home inspector and schedule your home inspection before the inspection deadline or you forfeit your right to a home inspection.
3. Obtain Homeowners Insurance
   • Choose an insurance company and obtain homeowners insurance for your new home. You cannot close a loan without homeowners insurance.

• Closing Attorney: Choose your closing attorney soon as they need to have enough time to conduct the title search and prepare all of the documents for the transaction
• Utilities: Call the WATER, ELECTRIC, & CABLE companies and have the services at your new home transferred to your name before closing. Also remember to cancel the utilities at your current residence.
• Forward Mail: Have the post office forward all of your mail from your current address to your new address. Notify all important parties of your address change (i.e. bank, credit card company, employer, insurance co’s, etc.)
• Walk Through: Schedule a final walk through the house just before closing to ensure the house is in the same condition it was before the sellers moved out.
• Refer Family & Friends: Word of mouth is my number one source for business. I appreciate you passing my information along to friends, co-workers, and relatives that you hear of who will be looking to buy or sell a home. I work very hard for my clients and I will take exceptional care of anyone you refer to me.
• Get A Certified Check for Closing: Closing attorneys require certified funds at closing. You will need to get a certified check from your bank and your realtor will be able to get this amount for you the day of closing. After closing be sure to get the keys to your new home!