The Buying Process

“Buy a home” they said. “It’ll be easy” they said.

The buying process is a matter of lining up what you want with what you can have.
How do you find a fixed structure that will facilitate your mercurial existence? For some it takes a day, and for some it takes years. No two homes are alike; no two buyers are alike. The variables can sometimes seem infinite.
I will be your objective lens. My job is to illuminate the facts so you can control what you can control. I strive to bring a process designed to bring clarity.

It's personal

It’s important to interview more than one full-time, full-service agent. Someone who will be there. Buying a home is a personal experience. You want to trust your broker with important and sometimes sensitive information. You want a broker who abides by their duty of confidentiality.

Be ready to share:

Financial status

Life style

Pet peeves…

(you get it)

Making an offer/Earnest Money

The simplest purchase and sale agreement can be may be 6-10 pages long. Now let’s add

finance addendum

Inspection addendum

Appraisal addendums…

(you get it)

When making what may be the largest purchase of your lifetime you want to understand the process and work with someone who can explain and control it. and…earnest money…it’s a thing.

Escrow - Closing

At mutual acceptance we start working with escrow and your mortgage broker to ensure the transaction deadlines are met and, make sure you don’t buy a car until you close. Earnest money, ask me about that. After inspection it’s time for you to focus on loan documents. you will meet with the escrow officer about 2-3 days before closing day to sign the documents. On closing day, once we have received word that the documents have recorded, we can hand over your new keys!

What's an investment?

Now you have made a huge investment. Whether you bought a rental property, or a place to make your home, it’s a big investment. Maybe the biggest you ever made, or ever will. Ownership gives you opportunity/leverage. Real estate always grows in the long run, and whether or not you plan to move, we will continue to help you track and help you maintain.

Getting settled (The Closing)

The closing can either happen at an office or virtually-on line. In Washington State closings can be done remotely and they usually do. All the paperwork is signed Settlement obligations vary widely due to specific contract language. Prior to closing the closing agent (escrow or title company or attorney) will complete a detailed settlement statement for both buyer and seller.

THE BUYER WILL RECEIVE

Credit toward buyer closing costs and purchase price for any earnest money deposited

Earnest money is a “good faith” deposit submitted with your offer to show the sellers that you are serious about your purchase offer. Earnest money is a required part of an offer. There is no set amount that is required and up to %5 of the offering price can be kept buy the seller should the buyer breach contract. Earnest money can be an important part of the negotiation process. Earnest money eventually becomes part of the purchase and will show as a credit to the buyer.

THE BUYER PAYS

One half of escrow or legal fees paid to an attorney or escrow for preparing the close
Document preparation fees if applicable
Recording and notary fees if applicable
Title search and title insurance (paid by either the buyer or seller)
Local transfer taxes (paid by either the buyer or the seller)
Loan fees
Appraisal fees
Credit report fees
Home Owners Association fees, if applicable (paid by either buyer or seller)