Selecting A Mortgage Lender

Chances are you will need to borrow funds from a mortgage lender.  In exchange for loaning you those funds, the lender will place a lien against the home. This allows them to foreclose if payments are stopped. The required down payment to purchase a home is usually 3 to 5 percent but can be as much as 10 or 20 percent, depending upon your specific mortgage loan. There are many types of loans including fixed-rate, adjustable-rate and convertible mortgages, as well as various time periods, although 30-year and 15-year mortgages are the most common.

My experience as a mortgage broker is very beneficial at this stage of the buying process. I will help you and your spouse shop around for the loan that is best for your situation and focus on factors such as interest rate, points and processing costs.

Give me a call at 832-647-1769 or send me an email at donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Next week, we will finish the buying process series with everyone's favorite part...THE CLOSING!

Making An Offer

Last week, I talked about finding a home that's right for you. After you find that home, the next step is to make an offer.  You may choose to set the offering price based on comparable homes on the market (http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/) or you can have a professional appraisal done. At this point, my expertise is especially valuable. Once settled on a price, you will have to put the offer in writing using what is called a purchase contract or purchase agreement, which will be presented to the seller. Earnest money or money indicating the seriousness of your offer to purchase may have to be put down with the contract. If the seller rejects the initial offer, you may receive a counteroffer, which marks the beginning of the negotiation phase of the purchase process. This is the fun part.  Once you reach an agreement, you will likely require a lender if you are not paying cash.  I will talk about selecting a mortgage lender next week.

Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call @ 832-647-1769.

Finding A Home That's Right For You

When finding the right home there are many considerations. Do you want a condominium? A detached home? Do you prefer one story or more? Making a list of features you require, prefer and find unacceptable can be very helpful. In addition to the home itself, the location of the home should be carefully considered. Think about work commuting times, how close schools are for your children, and if conveniences such as grocery stores and dry cleaners are nearby. Also consider crime statistics, whether there is heavy traffic in the area and if the area is susceptible to flooding. In other words, make sure you consider the entire neighborhood. In addition, make sure you know the value of the home you are considering as it compares to the other homes in the area. Visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/.

Call The Newlywed Real Estate Agent Today! 832-647-1769

What Is This FREE Report I Am Talking About?

I am often asked, "How is the real estate market?" If you want to know how the real estate market is in Houston and the Surrounding Area visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/ to get your FREE market snapshot.  What exactly is market snapshot?  I am glad you asked.  Market Snapshot is the FREE report that gives you detailed information about the real estate market in Houston and the Surrounding Area.  For example, the market snapshot tells you what homes are listed for in a particular area, and what homes actually sold for.  In addition, the FREE report tells you the average number of days homes are on the market.  If you are a buyer, this will help you know when you need to submit an offer on a property that you like, and if you are a seller, this will help you determine how long your home will be on the market before it sells.  I am only scatching the surface about all the valuable information that market snapshot provides.  For example, I have not talked about the community and school information that is in this report.

To get your FREE-Real Time Market Snapshot Report, visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/.  Fill in your name, email address, the area you are interested in, and some basic information about the home you have or are interested in buying.  You can be updated every 2,4,6, or 8 weeks. Stay informed about the real estate market in your current or future neighborhood.

If you have any questions contact me @ 832-647-1769.