My Homebuyer Services
Home Selection and Preparation for Home Purchase:
• I will meet with you to conduct a "needs / wants assessment" to ensure I understand your needs
• Provide you with a copy of my Home Buyer's Guide
• Answer all your question about the home buying process
• Provide you with my chart explaining different mortgage loan options. I wrote this chart myself in an effort to help my clients understand the “nuts & bolts” of different loan options. Note: There are many other loan programs available. Please consult a lender before selecting a mortgage loan.
• Provide you with my list of reputable lenders -- those with whom I’ve personally worked
• Assist you in obtaining a mortgage pre-approval at the best possible terms, and provide you with a list of questions to ask lenders (loan officer) so that you can compare different lender packages
• Assist you in obtaining “Estimated Costs of Settlement” from your lender. An “Estimated Cost of Settlement” itemizes your closing expenses and shows you (on paper) what your monthly mortgage payment will be for various loan programs. I require all lenders that I have a business relationship with to provide my clients with this detailed written document.
• Access the Proprietary Realtor Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and search for homes that best meet your criteria and are within your designated price range.
• Enter your home search criteria in the MLS to continually search for new listings as soon as they become available.
• Target homes in neighborhoods that interest you
• Target your preferences -- search for special features (e.g., family rooms, gourmet kitchens, hardwood floors, preferred home styles, etc.) or types of properties (i.e., re-sale homes, new homes, luxury homes, large lots, foreclosures, etc.)
• Provide you with access to homes you want to pre-view, and point out key features and deficiencies in each home.
• Seek information from Listing Agents concerning those properties that interest you
• Give you advice regarding which homes will make sound investments.
• Keep in contact with you frequently during the home buying process
Home Purchase and Contract Negotiation
• Assist you in preparing an offer that protects your interests and your Earnest Money Deposit
• Provide you with, and explain, a “Competitive Market Analysis” of homes that are currently available, are contracted to sell, or have sold so that you will understand the “fair market value” of the home you are purchasing.
• Recommend offer conditions that are most appropriate for you
• Safeguard your Earnest Money Deposit in my company’s or listing agent's Escrow account according to the laws of the State of Illinois
• Fully explain all terms and conditions of the Sales Contract and Addendums to you
• Fully explain your responsibilities under the Contract and Addendums
• Fully explain the seller's responsibilities under the Contract & Addendums
• Fully explain what is included in the purchase and what is not
• Represent you in negotiations to obtain the best possible price and terms
• Prepare and submit your Offer to Purchase property and prepare and submit all counter-offers in a timely manner and according to the laws of the State of Illinois.
• Obtain a Property Condition Disclosure or Disclaimer Statement from the seller concerning the condition of the property… and all other applicable disclosures (e.g., lead-based paint, mold, radon disclosures)
• I will guide you and the seller (if the home is sold “For-Sale-By-Owner”) incompliance with all required federal and state laws in the transfer of home ownership (e.g., anti-trust laws, civil rights laws, etc.)
Contract Ratification to Settlement:
• Assist you in hiring a home inspector who will thoroughly inspect the property, and provide you with a list of reputable inspectors; schedule inspectors
• Assist you in obtaining final mortgage approval on the home you select
• Monitor your loan as it is processed in underwriting
• Verify the appraisal value of the property
• Assist you in removing conditions and contingencies from your offer to purchase as per the contract.
• Assist you in selecting a Settlement Company to close the purchase
• Monitor the activities of the Settlement company to ensure the necessary documentation and reviews are being performed (e.g., title work, tax adjustments, receipt of loan documentation, assessments and adjustments, preparation of an accurate HUD-1 Settlement Statement)
• Convey all documents and final instructions to your Settlement Company
• Provide you with a checklist of things to do between this point and possession (e.g., arranging for certified funds to cover your closing costs; a moving checklist, utility information, etc.)
• Conduct a final walk through with you at possession to ensure all systems are in proper working order and that all items on the Home Inspection Addendum have been complied with.
• Attend your Settlement and provide you with the keys to your new home