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Listing Firm:Skyline Properties, Inc.
Listing Firm:Skyline Properties, Inc.
Listing Firm:Skyline Properties, Inc.
Once you make the decision to buy a home, you're making the decision to make the biggest purchase of your lifetime.
With that comes certain things to keep in mind – Like where do I start? Who do I talk to? What do I need to know? Is now a good time to buy? These and many more questions will arise as you begin your journey.
In my experience, there are two categories where people will fall into. In the first category, you go to the traditional brick and mortar bank where you have your checking and saving account and speak to a bank employee about buying a home.
The second category will talk to friends and family that have bought a home in the past and ask them where to start… Some will get pointed in the direction of the real estate agent that helped them with the home purchase or the loan officer that helped them get pre-approved.
There are pros and cons to both sides, but I would say there are more pros than cons when speaking to a mortgage broker rather than a bank, unless you’re looking to do a jumbo loan (a loan greater than $750k), then you’re better served talking with one of the big banks.
Once you’ve identified your real estate team (Real Estate Agent and Loan Officer) you’re then ready to start the pre-approval process. Before you even set foot in a house, you first need to get pre-approved. Once you fill out the loan application and submit all the necessary documentation, your l.o. will get to work and calculate how much your buying power will be.
With pre-approval in hand, your real estate agent will schedule a time for you to come into the office and explain the home buying process from A to Z and also to listen to what your needs and wants are.
Once you and your agent put a plan together, you then start the very important phase of “touring homes”. You as a buyer need to understand what the inventory looks like, typically a buyer will look at 6 to 12 homes before feeling comfortable making an offer to purchase… Sometimes it’s less, sometimes it’s more.
Something to keep in mind, there are many contracts that govern a home purchase; having a real estate agent that understands these contracts are key to reducing risks. It takes 30 to 35 days to close on a home (From the day your offer is accepted, mutual acceptance, to the day your agent hands the keys over to you). Not including the time you will spend with them viewing homes, so make sure you pick an agent that you will get along with.
I have included a few loan officers I work with (aka Mortgage Brokers or Lenders) Feel free to contact one today and get started on your home buying journey!
MORTGAGE PARTNER
Gerardo Sanchez
Loan Consultant
- 11255 Kirkland Way Suites 100 110 & 200 Kirkland, WA 98033
- 425-652-0243
- gsanchezmortgages@gmail.com
NMLS ID #1438922
I’m a Bilingual Loan Consultant boasting years of experience Originating FHA, VA, Conventional, and DPAs, and our niche the Hispanic market and their needs. I have had the opportunity to work in almost every facet of the mortgage industry from servicing and modifying, to packaging and selling loans on the back end.
My calling is being the guide who leads you or your client from the goal of owning a house, to signing on the dotted line for your new home.
You will usually catch me working on a deal, talking to clients, planning with my team, taking pictures of my beautiful wife, playing soccer, eating great food, on a hike, or doing a renovation.
My commitment to you is competitive rates, unmatched service, the best technology, and a process that guides you easily from application through closing.
What to expect within the first 10 days of mutual acceptance
Within the first 10-days after the opening of your escrow transaction, here’s a general idea of what to expect:
The “updated” or “amended” version of the preliminary title commitment will be distributed to all parties. Please carefully review this, as it represents a draft version of the final title insurance policy our company will issue after closing. Alert your closing team of any misspellings, misstated amounts (erroneous purchase price or new loan amount), or any other discrepancies that might be cause for concern.
If either principal to the transaction has a highly common name, the title commitment will set forth a requirement for person(s) to complete an additional document, called a “Statement of Identity.”
Title will order an inspection, if needed.
Escrow will email a digital disclosure packet (StartSafe) for Buyers and Sellers to complete, the return of which is paramount to a smooth closing. This is our method to securely collect details such as the Seller’s loan account info for the ordering of loan payoffs, utility billing statements, HOA resale demand statements, determine whether parties are participating in a 1031 tax-deferred exchange, and so much more.
If there has been any remodel, construction, or work performed at the subject property address it is critical that our escrow and title departments are notified, as further documentation may be needed.
If you’d like escrow to handle payment or reimbursement of invoices at the time of closing, please deposit all documentation with your escrow team as early as possible.
Are you ordering a warranty plan for the buyer? If so, forward the invoice to your escrow agent if instructed to pay through closing.
Inform your escrow officer of any changes in the contract.
Much of our electronic correspondence is sent using SmartMail. When you receive your first SmartMail message, be sure to register your account as soon as possible.
If you encounter any trouble establishing your account, contact your escrow team.”
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