BUYING?
Investing in a home is one of the most important decisions you'll make. So much more than a roof over your head, your home is where life unfolds and memories are made, all while building a financial foundation for your future.
Deciding how you'll navigate your journey to homeownership is equally critical to the agent you work with. As someone who's been in your spot before, Susana is familiar with what's cycling through your mind, and as a real estate agent, she has mastered the ins and outs of the buying process. When you work with her, you'll benefit from her experience, and together you'll work toward making sound, smart decisions for your future.
There are so many actions during a real estate transaction that can be costly or have legal consequences if not done properly. When it comes to Buying a home, Susana's meticulous nature shines through in her commitment to protecting and educating her clients every step of the way. From pre-qualification and home tours to offer writing, negotiation, transaction performance, inspections' supervision, objections handling, and explanation of contracts and legal documentation, Susana's attention to detail ensures nothing falls through the cracks. With her expertise and negotiating abilities, she helps clients avoid costly mistakes that could have legal repercussions, saving them time, stress, and money. Just as you wouldn't enter an operating room without verifying your surgeon's credentials, consulting a qualified professional is essential when making one of the largest investments of your life.
Resources
Out of State?
1
Remote Home Search
We will schedule a phone call or video call to talk about your needs and wants in a home. Then, I’ll make sure to send out all the homes that match your search criteria or set you up for automatic alerts so you can have access to new listings as soon as realtors get them. Even easier? I’ll send you a link to download my app with the most updated MLS information!
2
Virtual Tours
Stay home while I tour the property for you. You can watch the tour in real-time or I can share the videos and photos with you so you can watch them as many times as you want. Are you traveling only for one or two days to see properties? Let me know in advance and I’ll make sure to schedule all appointments back to back to maximize your time in town.
3
Digital Signing
All documents are digitally created and signed. You don’t need any specific software or equipment, only an internet connection, and an email account. You can even do it from your phone! If you cannot travel for closing, I'll make sure to let the attorney's office know so you can perform a remote closing.
We understand the importance of this investment and our goal is to support you in each step of this journey to get the most out of your investment and make that important moment a successful one and a happy one. You will never feel alone as we will be there and use our expertise and skills to avoid unnecessary concerns, managing the process to go as smoothly as possible while making sure you find that home you have been dreaming of for a while.
FAQ
1 / Do I have to pay for Realtor services?
No, the buyer is not responsible for their realtor’s commissions. When a home is listed for sale by a realtor, that agent pre-negotiates the compensation that will cover both agents’ fees (the listing agent and the agent who will bring the buyer) so, the both agents' compensation will be paid at closing from the seller’s proceeds. As a buyer, there are very few cases in which you would have to pay the Realtor® (and if so that would have to be agreed upon in advance and included in the agreement). An agent might not encounter a case of buyer paid commission in their entire career. The most common instance is when a buyer is interested in a property that is For Sale by Owner, and the seller refuses to pay a commission to the agent bringing the buyer. Put your mind at ease in knowing that all the listings we share with you are MLS listings, which means all of them are listed by a real estate agent and therefore, include a seller-paid commission.
2 / Do I get a better deal if I ask the listing agent to represent me?
When there's no other agent to split the commission with 2 things can happen: either the listing agent doubles their commission or the seller pays a smaller commission fee, what never happens is the buyer getting a better deal. Basically, anybody can benefit from that dual representation but the buyer. You'll see, the listing agent already has an agency agreement signed with the seller and owes fiduciary duties to them so, either you are left unrepresented or because of the conflict of interest that agent won't be able to fully represent you or protect your best interest, resulting in you not having a professional to advise you, negotiate for you and look for your best interest. Why would you waive the opportunity to have someone to guide you in the biggest investment of your life if you don't even need to pay for it because your agent's compensation is already been paid by the seller?
3 / I want to buy a home but I don't know where to start
That's totally normal and we are here for you. The first step is to contact us so we can guide you through the whole process. If you are not pre-approved yet and don't have a preferred lender we can put you in contact with trusted local lenders too.
4 / I don't want to get pre-approved until I find my dream home. Is that ok?
Searching for homes without knowing your financial power is one of the most common mistakes buyers make. Imagine falling in love with a home and then finding out you cannot afford it and you have to start looking at a lower price range. After falling in love with more expensive homes you are probably not gonna like any house in a lower price range and will get frustrated. Or what if you actually get prequalified for the amount you need but after getting the approval you go back to try to put an offer and the home is not available anymore? It is always a good rule to follow to get pre-approved before you start looking for homes but even more in this low inventory market where homes can be gone in a matter of hours. So, the first step is to contact your preferred lender and organize all the documentation they will need to pre-approve you for a loan. Many lenders accept online applications for your convenience. Need a list of local lenders? Let us know!
5 / How much down payment do I need?
That will depend on the type of loan you qualify for. FHA loans are usually 3.5%, while conventional loans for a primary residence are usually 5%. With a 20% down payment, you don't require private mortgage insurance and VA loans and some government programs with down payment assistance can offer loans with 0% down. Every case is different so you will need to talk to a lender to find out your options.
6 / How long does it take to close after my offer is accepted?
That will be dictated by the type of financing. A conventional loan takes about a month, FHA, VA, and down payment assistance loans about 45 days, and a cash sale can close as soon as 2 weeks, mostly depending on inspections and title search.
7 / I need to sell my house first so I can have the money to buy. HELP!
Of course, that is a very common scenario and we are prepared to assist you so you can successfully sell your house and buy a new home adapted to your current needs. Schedule a meeting or a phone consultation and we can go over the different options for you and your family.