Lost, nervous or overwhelmed? These are very common feelings when thinking about home ownership. Each person is unique in their circumstances and pace. By Aligning with 360 Real Estate Professionals, you are assured a personalized experience with clear direction to your goals, while keeping the journey fun!
Before you start browsing homes, it’s imperative to understand your finances. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will not only give you a clear budget, but will streamline your search and set a solid foundation for your home-buying journey.
Many buyers start with a pre-qualification, which provides an estimate of how much you could borrow based on self-reported financial information without pulling your credit. This step is beneficial as a starting point for navigating expenses, especially when you’re saving for a down payment.
In contrast, a pre-approval involves a credit check, and a detailed look at copies of your financial records, resulting in a formal letter from a lender. This letter confirms your borrowing capacity and shows sellers that you are serious and qualified, giving you a competitive edge in the market especially when writing offers.
It's not what you know, it's what you don't know that can cost you money, time and regret. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate investor, having an expert REALTOR® by your side is essential. As experienced real estate professionals, we help you navigate the intricacies of the real estate market, leverage complex real estate contracts, find homes that fit your needs, and negotiate the best price. Our team offers expert guidance, years of experience, and extensive local market knowledge.
With our trusted network of contacts and resources, we support you through every step of the home buying process—especially during negotiations and beyond the transaction. From first-time homebuyers to experienced investors, our expertise ensures that your home-buying journey is smooth and successful. 360 Real Estate Professionals can also provide valuable perspective to seasoned real estate investors, helping them make informed decisions and capitalize on opportunities. Whether you're managing a 1031 exchange, investing in rental properties, navigating relocation, or understanding HOA Bylaws and CC&Rs, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive real estate knowledge ensures a streamlined process and successful outcomes.
We encourage you to explore our client testimonials and look forward to helping you confidently achieve your real estate goals.
Once you understand your purchasing power, it’s time to start the home search process, preferably with us as your Realtor®! Do you already know where you want to buy? Are you interested in a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Now is the time to identify the features you like, dislike, need and want in a property. Getting connected on an MLS search is key, as it grants you access to properties that may not be listed on public platforms, offering exclusive members-only opportunities. By working with 360 Real Estate Pros, you can find listings that meet your criteria before they hit the mainstream market, as well as access to off-market properties.
As you explore potential homes, monitor any changes in asking prices. This information can provide valuable insights into housing trends within specific neighborhoods, equipping you with the knowledge you need when it’s time to make an offer.
While finding the perfect home is important, don’t overlook the significance of the neighborhood & location. Spend time exploring the area—check commute times and investigate nearby amenities such as schools, parks, and shopping options. It’s wise to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day to gauge its overall vibe and suitability for your lifestyle.
It’s tempting to focus solely on your immediate needs, but it's key to consider your future plans and if the floorplan for example will stand the test of time you see yourself in the home. Are you planning to expand your family? Will you require additional space for a home office or guests? Buying with future needs in mind can save you from outgrowing your home too quickly and needing to move again sooner than you’d like.
At 360 Real Estate Pros, we’re here to guide you through every step of your home-buying process. Let us help you find the perfect property that meets your current needs while accommodating your future aspirations.
When you're ready to make an offer on a home, it’s important to present yourself as a serious buyer. This means having the right documents and funds in place to strengthen your position. Here’s what you need to know about making an offer in today’s real estate market.
Before you make an offer, securing a pre-approval letter from a lender is essential. This document shows sellers that you have been vetted by a mortgage professional and are financially capable of purchasing the home. A pre-approval can give you a competitive edge in a hot market and help expedite the closing process.
In addition to your pre-approval letter, having proof of funds readily available can further demonstrate your seriousness as a buyer. This may include bank statements or investment account statements that confirm you have the necessary funds for the down payment and closing costs. Oh, and don't worry, we will guide you with how to protect your privacy and personal information.
A 3% earnest money deposit is expected to show that you are committed to the purchase. This deposit is a good-faith gesture and is held in an escrow account until the transaction is complete. If the transaction progresses, the earnest money is applied toward your down payment or closing costs. If the transaction falls through due to contingencies in your favor, it’s returned to the buyer upon cancellation of the contract.
Once you have selected the perfect home, we work with you to craft an offer based on comparable homes on the market, listing price, and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market. Your offer may be below, at, or above the asking price depending on market conditions. Be prepared for negotiations, as the seller may counter your offer or request additional terms. We assist in counteroffer negotiations to reach a mutual agreement and once agreed upon and signed by both parties, the house will go into escrow. Our fiduciary duty is to ensure you're protected and advised accordingly until you reach the closing table and get the keys.
360 Real Estate Pros are ready to guide you through every step of the offer and transaction process. We are here to amplify your real estate experience and simplify the real estate process so you can confidently secure your dream home. With transparency and integrity at the core of what we do, your privacy and comfort are always our top priority. Schedule a consultation today to receive our comprehensive buyer’s guide!
This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.
Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.
In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.
Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.
Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.
No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact us today.
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360 REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
4740 Scotts Valley Dr Ste E,
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
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