Buyers Reports

#1 - Needs Analysis. Congratulations on your decision to purchase a new home! Your first step to buying your new home will be to analyze your needs.

#2 - Pre-Approval vs. Prequalification. Now that you have a list of features you want in your new home, you are ready to start looking! Well, not just yet.

#3 - Neighborhood Information. Now that you have your list of needs and wants and you know how much you can afford to spend, it's time to look at some houses!

#4 - Home Search. At this point, you will have a good idea of what you can afford and what type of neighborhood you will want to live in. Taking that information into consideration you are ready to embark on your actual home search.

#5 - Making an Offer. Now that you have found the home you would like to purchase, it's time to make an offer. Taking into account the recent sales of homes in that neighborhood which are similar in size, quality, conveniences, and amenities, what are you willing to pay for the home?

#6 - Negotiating to Buy. Once your offer is made, there may need to be some negotiating in order to reach an agreement. Keep in mind that almost everything is negotiable when you are buying a house.

#7 - Vendor Coordination. After your offer has been accepted, the property will need a thorough inspection. Working with your lender, you may need to have a formal appraisal and a survey done for the property designated in the contract.

#8 - Pre-Closing Preparation. As the closing date draws near, you will need to be in contact with the escrow company or closing attorney and your lender to make sure that all the necessary documents are being prepared.

#9 - Closing. The closing is where ownership of the home is legally transferred from the seller to the buyer. It is a formal meeting in which most parties involved in the buying/selling process will attend.

#10 - Post-Closing. Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now that you have taken ownership of the property you will need to have your local services such as electricity, cable, and phone set up.

Send your request here for the reports you would like. If you wish to receive them via US Mail, simply provide your name and complete mailing address. Otherwise, provide the e-mail address where you would like the reports sent. Note the report number(s), up to three, that you are requesting.

Sellers Reports

#1 - Needs Analysis. It is important to set out in writing the reasons that are motivating you to sell your current home. You might ask yourself, "Why am I selling my home and what do I expect to accomplish?"

#2 - Pricing Strategy. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. You will need to take into account the state of the local market, the condition of your home, and sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood.

#3 - Property Preparation. It's time to get your house into "showing and selling" condition. Most of us don't keep our homes in the condition they would need to be to sell quickly.

#4 - Marketing Strategy. Now that your house is ready, it's time to put it up for sale and market it. Establishing a marketing strategy is a must.

#5 - Receiving an Offer. Once a buyer decides they would like to buy your house, an offer will be presented. Review the written document taking care to note what needs to be done by both parties to execute the transaction.

#6 - Negotiating to Sell. Most offers to purchase your house will require some level of negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. It is critical that you be well versed on the legalities of the real estate contract used in your area.

#7 - Sell. Once you have accepted an offer to sell your house you will need to make a list of all the things you must do, and a list of all the things the buyer must do, in order to proceed successfully to closing.

#8 - Pre-Closing Preparation. A few days before the closing you will want to contact whichever entity that is closing the transaction and make sure that all of the necessary forms and documents have been prepared and are going to be available to sign on the appropriate date.

#9 - Closing. This is where ownership is legally transferred to the buyer. As the seller you will need to be prepared to give over any necessary documentation regarding the property and, depending on the arrangements made during negotiations, you may be required to have done something specific in order to close.

#10 - Post-Closing. Congratulations on the successful sale of your home. Hopefully, everything went smoothly and you will be vacating your house in the time frame that you had anticipated.

Send your request here for the reports you would like. If you wish to receive them via US Mail, simply provide your name and complete mailing address. Otherwise, provide the e-mail address where you would like the reports sent. Note the report number(s), up to three, that you are requesting.

Moving Tips

Easing the Transition to Your New Home - Use the right boxes, and pack them carefully.

Professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and so can't shield your valuables as well from harm in transit. >> read more

Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton. Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.

Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in which you've packed fragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.

The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.

For your family's safety and comfort.

Teach your children your new address. Let them practice writing it on packed cartons. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.

Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry
items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can't do without. Ask your van foreman to load one of these boxes, so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Why the second box? In case the movers are delayed getting to your house on the day of the move.

Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity on moving day.

Let all your electrical gadgets return to room temperature before plugging them in.

Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, pack your phone book.

Work hand in hand with your mover.

Give the mover's foreman your cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses so you can stay in contact.

Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and keep your Bill of Lading handy.

If you're moving long distance, be aware that your property might share a truck with that of several other households. For this reason, your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for security, organization and cleanliness. << Hide Extended Entry

Have any questions? Need more information? Ask me- I'm happy to help you!