Seven Steps to Buy a Canyon Country Home

April 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Seven Steps to Buy a Canyon Country Home
Canyon Country is a Community of Santa Clarita Ca.

Canyon Country Real Estate
Santa Clarita Real Estate
Peggy Brooks Realtor

Buying a Canyon Country home is a daunting and exciting endeavor.  These seven steps will help you to make an informed decision.  The rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

1. Decide to buy.

Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home in Canyon Country, Ca., there are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home. Among these are equity-buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits.  If you buy a home in Canyon Country, it lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice.

Your decision to buy should be based on facts, not fears.

1.   If you are paying rent, you very likely can afford to buy a home in Canyon Country.

2.   There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run.  A Canyon Country home is a solid investment.  

3.   The lack of a substantial down payment doesn't prevent you from making your first home purchase.

4.   A less-than-perfect credit score won't necessarily stop you from buying a home.

5.   The best way to get closer to buying your ultimate dream home in Canyon Country is to buy your first home now.  This is a buyers' market!  Call me at :  661 513-3755 or call or text at:  909 565-0223.  We can look at homes in Canyon Country today!

6.   Buying a home doesn't have to be complicated - there are many professionals who will help you along the way, like me, Peggy Brooks of Keller Williams Realty of Santa Clarita Valley, Ca. Phone: 661 513-3755.  Visit my website at:  http://PeggyBrooks.KWRealty.com.  I will be happy to help you!


2. Hire your agent.

The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals - insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer's agents, seller's agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.


3. Secure financing.

From start to finish, you will follow a six-step, easy-to-understand process to secure the financing for your first home.

1.   Choose a loan officer (or mortgage specialist).  I can help you.  We can prequalify you right over the phone! 661 513-3755. Email: peggy@peggybrooks.com

2.   Make a loan application and get preapproved.

3.   Determine what you want to pay and select a loan option.

4.   Submit to the lender an accepted purchase offer contract.

5.   Get an appraisal and title commitment.

6.   Obtain funding at closing.


4. Find your home in Canyon Country, Los Angeles County, Ca.

Looking at homes in Canyon Country, is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, if weeks go by without finding what you're looking for, the fun can fade quickly. That's why we say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs.  I can help you! I get paid to spend my time and gas money, not yours.   I look at five houses every day so you don't have to.
Please visit my Canyon Country Real Estate website at: http://www.santaclarita--homes.com/atj/user/AdditionalGet...  We can start today!

Questions to ask yourself

1.   What do I want my home to be close to?  School, shopping, freeways, work?

2.   How much space do I need and why?  Big kitchen?  Big back yard?

3.   Which is more critical: location or size?  Why shouldn't you have both?

4.   Would I be interested in a fixer-upper?  Some people love to paint!  What about more extensive repairs that might involve hiring a contractor?

5.   How important is home value appreciation?  A home in Santa Clarita Valley is an investment in established communities which hold their value and will appreciate over time.

6.   Is neighborhood stability a priority?  

7.   Would I be interested in a condo?

8.   Would I be interested in new home construction?

9.   What features and amenities do I want? Which do I really need?



5. Make an offer.

Now that you're writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies.

Price - the right price to offer must fairly reflect the true market value of the home you want to buy. Your agent's market research will guide this decision.  We are in a buyers' market.  Now is the time to buy!

Terms - the other financial and timing factors that will be included in the offer.

Terms fall under six basic categories in a real estate offer:

1.   Schedule - a schedule of events that has to happen before closing.

2.   Conveyances - the items that stay with the house when the sellers leave.

3.   Commission - the real estate commission or fee, for both the agent who works with the seller and the agents who works with the buyer.

4.   Closing costs - it's standard for buyers to pay their closing costs, but if you want to roll the costs into the loan, you need to write that into the contract.

5.   Home warranty - this covers repairs or replacement of appliances and major systems. You may ask the seller to pay for this.

6.   Earnest money - this protects the sellers from the possibility of your unexpectedly pulling the deal and makes a statement about the seriousness of your offer.



6. Perform due diligence.

Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can't return it if something breaks or doesn't quite work like it's supposed to. That's why home owner's insurance and property inspections are so important.

A home owner's insurance policy protects you in two ways:

1.   Against loss or damage to the property itself

2.   Liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property



The property inspection exposes the secret issues a home might hide so you know exactly what you're getting into before you sign your closing papers.

•   Your major concern is structural damage.

•   Don't sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked.

•   If you have a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. If the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, you might want to walk away from the purchase.


7. Close.

The final stage of the home buying process is the lender's confirmation of the home's value and legal title, and your credit-worthiness. This entails an appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and financing. Your agent will keep you posted on how each if progressing.

You just have a few pre-closing responsibilities:

1.   Stay in control of your finances.

2.   Return all phone calls and paperwork promptly.

3.   Communicate with your agent at least once a week.

4.   Several days before closing, confirm with your agent that all your documentation is in place and in order.

5.   Obtain certified funds for closing.

6.   Conduct a final walk-through.

On closing day, with the guidance of an a escrow agent and your real estate agent, you'll sign documents that do the following:

7.   Finalize your mortgage.

8.   Pay the seller.

9.   Pay your closing costs.

10.   Transfer the title from the seller to you.

11.   Make arrangements to legally record the transaction as a public record.


Congratulations homeowner!  You did it!  

This achievement can be brought to you by Peggy Brooks
http://www.SantaClarita--Homes.com/


Copyright © 2000-2011 Keller Williams ® Realty. - a real estate franchise company. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.