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Advice for Homebuyers in
Arvada, Broomfield, Denver, Golden, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster,
Wheat Ridge Colorado. Don't be overwhelmed by
the real estate advice provided below. This is simply a general overview of the
home buying process and is provided for your convenience. Remember, I am
here to personally assist you every step of the way to
handle the little details that will make the process exciting and
worry-free.
How Much Can I
Afford?
Don’ts for the Home Buyer
Tips for First Time Home
Buyers
Common Closing Costs
Do I Really Need to Use a
Real Estate Agent?
Services I Can Provide
Steps to
Selecting the Right Property
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How Much Can I Afford? |
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Don’ts for the Home Buyer
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Don’t wait for the perfect house. Compromising & prioritizing are
essential elements of the buying process.
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Don’t buy before comparison shopping…especially if you’re new to
the area.
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Don’t write an unrealistic offer or you will simply be helping
someone else’s offer look good (too low of a price…too many
contingencies).
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Don’t feel a need to negotiate if a property is new to the market,
priced right and popular…the good ones often go quickly and at
full or close to full price.
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Don’t think all real estate agents and companies are created
equal. Find a
Realtor®
(like me) who is passionate about what they
do and works to ensure your best interest in the deal - not theirs.
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Don’t be afraid to write an offer above or below the asking price.
Offer what it is worth to you. Remember...everything is
negotiable.
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Don’t work with more than one agent. Find one you like and stick
with them (like
me).
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Don’t wait for the perfect time to buy. The best time to buy is
when you have found the right home - and you'll know when the time
comes.
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Don’t get too many people involved in your buying decision. Many
transactions are lost while you're busy soliciting other people for
their opinions. Act quickly to get the property you desire.
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Don’t wait until you find a home to start looking into mortgage
loans. Being prepared with a mortgage will give you the upper hand
to submit a solid offer by letting sellers know you are very serious.
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Tips for First Time Home Buyers: |
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Be pre-qualified by a lender.
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Obtain a mortgage pre-approval.
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Have the necessary funds available to write an initial earnest
money check.
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If you are receiving a “gift letter” for a portion of your down
payment, be sure to have the money transferred into your savings
account.
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Have the remaining money for your down payment easily accessible.
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Pay balances on revolving credit cards.
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Never make a big purchase (such as a car or new furniture) prior to
getting loan approval and closing on your new home.
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Have a credit report run by a mortgage lender or credit agency so that you can clear up
any potential problems.
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Find an attorney to review an “offer to purchase agreement”.
Be aware of the dates you can move on.
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Common Closing Costs: |
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Down payment.
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Loan Origination fee and points.
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Appraisal fee.
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Credit report.
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Flood letter.
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Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premium.
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Home Owners Insurance premium.
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Mortgage Insurance escrow.
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Property taxes escrow.
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Closing fees.
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Recording fees.
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Mortgage Title policy.
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Mortgage interest adjustment.
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Survey.
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Owner’s Title policy.
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Termite inspection and building inspection fee.
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Tax servicing fee.
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Lender inspection fee.
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Federal Express / Courier fees (if needed).
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Do
I Really
Need to Use a Real Estate Agent or REALTOR? |
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Do you have time to research the residential housing market?
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Do you have the knowledge to integrate and understand the
information available to you?
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Can you integrate the information available on the real estate
Internet sites into useful data that can help you accomplish your
goal?
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Do you have the expertise to negotiate on your own behalf?
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Do you have the ability to find a qualified home inspector?
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Do you have the time to research the home loan programs available in
the market?
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Do you have the time to interview mortgage loan officers?
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Do you have the time and expertise to target market, if necessary,
for the type of property you are looking for?
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Do you know the zoning regulations and building codes pertaining to
residential real estate in the area you are interested in?
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Services I Can Provide: |
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Work with you to find properties that meet your specific
requirements such as location, price and amenities.
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Arrange for appointments and show you the properties you select.
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Provide you with information regarding the price and value of
properties.
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Provide knowledge of the current real estate market and how it
relates to your purchase.
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Prepare an offer to purchase.
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Arrange for appointments and show you the properties you select.
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Provide you with information regarding the price and value of
properties.
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Assist in the negotiation of your selected property.
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Refer you to professional service providers, such as: home
inspectors, legal services, mortgage services, title services,
etc.
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...and many other things
that no other realtor is willing to do.
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Steps to Selecting the Right Property |
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Approach the home buying process objectively - there is no perfect
home; the good ones sell quickly; don’t second guess yourself.
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After viewing each property, ask yourself: what did you like about
it?; what, if anything would you want/need to change? Could you see
yourself owning the property if the price was right?
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Use your judgment, the Market Analysis prepared by your
agent and the option of an Appraisal to your advantage.
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Use my
Buyers Toolbox
to find
your next home,
get tips for new home buyer's, information on the
9 Steps to
buying a home in
Arvada,
Brighton,
Broomfield,
Cherry Creek,
Denver,
Golden,
Highlands Ranch,
Lakewood,
Louisville,
Northglenn,
Thornton,
Westminster
or
Wheat Ridge,
Colorado
and understanding what
buyer
agency is and why you should be represented in a real estate
transaction. You can also use my
mortgage
calculator to see how much home you can afford and explore available
mortgage financing options
and even
sign up to receive the
hottest
new home LISTINGS via e-mail.
 Limited
Time Offer!
Beginning October 1, 2008 take advantage of the "AR&A Economic Stimulus
Package" - a Cash Rebate Program of $500-$1000 for
First-Time Homebuyers who hire me
as their "buyer's
agent" to purchase a home this spring.
Call 303-520-3179.
*
THE BENEFITS OF OWNING A HOME
*
RETURN TO
BUYERS TOOLBOX
I am here to personally assist
you every step of the way and handle the little details that will make the
process exciting and worry-free.
My services are offered to buyers
FREE of charge.
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