How to Buy a House

•Essex County Quarterly Report

•Union County Quarterly Report

•Morris County Quarterly Report

•Millburn Market Report

•Short Hills Market Report

•Maplewood Township Market Report

•Summit Township Market Report

SUMMARY

1. Meet with a real estate agent and go over the buying process

2. Obtain a pre-approval

3. Showing tours and site visits

4. Offer and Acceptance

5. Attorney Review

6. Under Contract

7. Schedule Home Inspections

8. Order Appraisal

9. Mortgage Appraisal

10.Order Title

11. Home Insurance

12. Transfer of Utilities

13. Final Walkthrough

14. CLOSING DAY

Buyer's Checklist

Review the list below and find out how Sandi will help you conduct a home search, negotiate, and close on a new home. Sandi will help you with the process of buying a home while representing your best interests throughout the purchase process.

Use the home buyer checklist below to prevent errors and to stay on track:

• Get pre-approved for a mortgage, look into credit report, FICO score, type of mortgage, shop for the best rates, and programs. 
• Determine your wants and needs: style of home, size, price, location
• Check out the neighborhoods, schools, crime rate, traffic, zoning, and work commutes
• Check the Web for helpful information
• Sandi will call or visit visit the town or city hall to learn of any zoning changes, liens, easements, or other restrictions.
• Sandi will prepare a property value study. Sandi will prepare your offer and apply his/her trained negotiating skills during the buying process.  
• Sandi will find out  if there are any other offers and ascertain the seller's motivation for selling, deadlines, etc.
• Work with a reputable attorney who specializes in New Jersey real estate law. 
• To prevent surprises and disappointments after you move into your new home, use the inspection period written into your contract to fullest advantage by hiring a home inspector to thoroughly examine the home you want to buy. Sandi will be present for the home inspection.  *Inspections should be scheduled during attorney review period)

            -General Inspection: a visual inspection of exterior | interior condition. Each items will be rated and information provided in a full report for buyer’s review. 

            -Termite Inspection: a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of wood-destroying insects.

           -Level 2 Chimney: a visual inspection conducted using a camera scope.

           -Sewer inspection: a visual inspection conducted using a camera scope.

           *Use the inspection report to re-negotiate, if necessary.

• Be aware of the final negotiating factors that may benefit you in the purchase of the home

Once all the inspection has been performed, start the mortgage application working with a lender, asking questions about how long the appraisal will take. Title search and survey will be ordered by your attorney once the appraisal comes in without any issue.

Follow up with the bank, forward mail, and transfer utilities in anticipation of closing day. 

To prevent surprises, Sandi will schedule a walk-through of the property before the actual closing (usually an hour or two before). A final walk-through is an opportunity to , re-examine the home to

1. See that requested repairs have been made,
2. To determine if there are any changes or new damage since the home inspection,
3. See that all of the sellers belongings have been removed from the premises as agreed.

Once your walk-through has been completed, you can sit at the closing table with less worry knowing that your home is ready and waiting for you. You many find that you need to add some steps, based on your special situation, to create a customized home buying checklist for yourself. However, this should serve as a helpful guide as you start on the road to purchasing your dream home.