Visualize Your Dream Home
The best way to save time and energy is to write
down everything you are looking for in a new home. Let your imagination go!
Then call an Old Northwest Land Co. Sales Professional to discuss your goals.
Prioritize Your Needs
After you have made your "wish list", go
through and prioritize each item. Picture your family's everyday activities
and habits. You'll get a clearer picture of the home that will suit you best.
Put the Pieces Together
Analyze the locations you're considering. Your Old
Northwest Real Estate Professional can supply you with information on school
systems, taxes, shopping centers and cultural activities.
Pre-Qualify
In order to save yourself time and possible disappointment, your
Sales Professional or Mortgage Loan Officer will pre-qualify your buying power.
Find out what your mortgage limit will be and how much of a down payment you'll
need.
Pre-Approval
Your Mortgage Loan Officer can pre-approve your mortgage before
you start house hunting. A pre-approval is a guarantee that you can qualify
for financing to a maximum purchase price and loan amount.
Start Shopping
Now, it's time to start viewing homes with your Your Old Northwest
Realtor Sales Associate. Make notes as you tour each property, because your
memory can be unreliable after you've been through several homes in a short
period of time.
Make An Offer
Once you've found the home that's right for you, it's time
to write an Offer to Purchase. Writing the offer is an exciting, emotional
and complicated experience. You'll be glad you have an experienced Sales Associate
at your side to help you through each part of the process.
Your Sales Associate will draft the offer and deliver it to the listing Associate
who meets with the home seller. They will discuss the offer, and the seller
will either accept it as written, make "counter offers" on unacceptable
aspects, or reject it. The Offer to Purchase becomes a contract only when
accepted copies have been signed and delivered to all parties.
Submit Earnest Money
When you submit an offer, be prepared to make an Earnest
Money deposit. This sum of money indicates your seriousness about the offer.
When the sale goes through, the amount of earnest money will be applied to
the purchase price.
Order A Home Inspection
A professional home inspector is an essential step
in the home buying process. A professional home inspector will see beyond
the "cosmetics" and will survey all parts of the house, including
the structure, roof, exterior and the major systems (electrical, plumbing,
heating, cooling and ventilation).
Your Offer to Purchase should include a clause stating that the sale is contingent
upon a home inspection. This contingency is meant to protect you against major
structural flaws, not the normal, everyday "wear and tear" almost
every home has.
Apply For A Home Loan
When you apply for your loan, your lender will give
you a good faith estimate of your closing costs. This document estimates the
amount of money you will need for closing. The Lender will also order an appraisal
of the property you wish to purchase to confirm it is adequate security for
your mortgage. Once the lender has verified the information you've given,
reviewed your credit history and analyzed your appraisal then a commitment
letter will be prepared. This document is a promise from the lender to make
you a loan.
Attend Closing Day
Congratulations, today you will become a home owner! Remember,
our full service continues right through the closing day. At the closing,
you will settle all the financial details, the title to your home will be
conveyed and usually you will receive the keys to your new home. Old Northwest
even has a moving truck to make your job easier!
