Decide on the area where you want to live
Learn as much as you can about the average price of homes sold in the general area, and the demographics. Find out the property taxes, school districts, any planned developments, and health or environmental issues for that area.

What is most important to you?
Make a list of the things most important to you such as proximity to schools and shopping, rural setting, tax rates, etc. Decide which items are "wants" and which are "needs". Narrow the specific area you would be happy to live in as much as possible, but have alternatives in case you don't find what you're looking for in the preferred area.

What type of house and amenities are you looking for?
Make two lists, the first one should be all of the needs that you have to have (such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of lot), and the second of the things you want but can live with out. It is important to make clear distinctions between "needs" and "wants".

Understand the Mortgage process and get Pre-Approved!
Getting Pre-Approved tells you exactly how much you can afford, what the closing costs will be, makes your offer look better than others, and gives you a chance to lock in a rate without being obligated to anything.

House Hunting, a fun and exciting process!
Just like the show House Hunters on HGTV, searching for your new home can be a fun and exciting process. GodwinAreaHomes.com allows you to request information to match your specific needs and buying criteria.

Tour the Homes You Like
Our Skye Bruce Properties Buyer’s Agents are Accredited Buyers Agents (ABR) and know the Richmond real estate market backwards and forwards. They represent only your interest and their services to you are free. They can coordinate appointments to show you any house on the market. They also have information and knowledge about schools, businesses, shopping, community amenities, etc. to help find the perfect home for you.

You found your new home! Time to make an offer!
Your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent will provide you with a comparable home analysis to gauge the market value for the home you are interested in. They will also help you develop a buying strategy so you are best positioned in the negotiating process to pay the very least for the property. Remember your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent only represents your interest!

Writing up a contract
Your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent will walk you through the contract process and explain any area which is unclear to you. They will present your offer to the seller's agent and be in constant contact with you through the negotiation process giving valuable advice all along the way.

Your contract is accepted!
When the negotiating is done and everyone agrees, the final offer is accepted and signed by everyone. Once signed, it legally becomes the Purchase Contract.

Apply for your Mortgage
The mortgage application process will be simpler since you are already Pre-Approved. During this process your mortgage lender has you complete the entire application and provide more detailed financial information. Then your application is sent to underwriting for approval.

Order a Home Inspection
To insure there are no major problems with your home it is important to have a detailed home inspection performed. An experienced home inspector can find both major and minor problems with the house that you need to know about before your closing. If there are no real issues, great! If there are problems you may have the opportunity to negotiate further concessions from the sellers and if they are major (structural, serious mold or termite damage etc.) even void the contract.

Order an Appraisal
An appraisal will be required by your mortgage lender and will give you one last financial check that your new home is worth and appraises for the purchase price.

Final Approval of your Mortgage
Waiting for the bank to finish underwriting your loan is usually one of the longest steps in the process, so be prepared. Usually the bank will need more information such as past financial records, bank statements, etc. Get the bank whatever it needs as quickly as possible to keep the process moving!

Title Search
This step of the process will be started by your Closing Attorney and also takes some time. The title company checks through decades of public records to make sure that the people selling you the home actually own it. It may sound odd, but the banks and regulators require it to protect you and the lending institution from fraud.

Schedule your Closing and final Walk-Through
Once your mortgage is approved and the title search is completed, your Attorney can schedule the Closing (settlement). A few days prior to closing, you and your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent will walk through the house one last time to make sure everything is in order.

Closing
You, your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent and your Attorney, all sit down at the table and sign off on lots paperwork, documents and fine print. Your Attorney and your Buyer's Agent are there for you and will explain any item, term or document. It’s all worth it though because at the end of it all you finally get the keys to your new home!

Time to move in!
Yes, you can move in the same day as the Closing. The house is yours to do with as you please. Your home buying process is over and with your Skye Bruce Properties Buyer's Agent by your side every step of the way, you are assured its been a fun, exciting, low stress and financially smart experience!

Copyright 2009 Skye Bruce Properties