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Looking at homes?  What Buyers (and sellers) should know

5/29/2017

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Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes:

Saturday, June 10th, from 9am-12pm (ish)
Marshall Community Center, conference room
1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Monday, June 12th , from 5pm-8pm (ish)
       Marshall Community Center, conference room
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Saturday, June 24th, from 11am-2pm (ish)
        Vancouver YMCA, conference room
        11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave)

If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know.  We understand that you have lives, and families, and work.  We will work something out that works better with your schedule.  Just let us know....                                                                                  
....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website
                  
Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner!  :-D
                                ~~~~~~~~~

Happy sunny weather!! 

  It's that time again (and again!)...  CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!!  :-D
Saturday, June 17 from 3pm-6pm.

Chris Berg & I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us.  Didn't we just have one?  Well, yes...yes, we did and we had so much fun that we want to do it again! 
Which one now? Well, it involves some Disney, a red car, a tow truck, some really good music, and really good friends along Route 66 .  
Come join us for Cars 3!!
This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us!  There's always room for friends and family too.  :-)
We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via Facebook or email to either Chris Berg (
cberg@pcmloan.com) or Tracie DeMars (traciedemars@aol.com) for right now.  

We are always excited for the client appreciation events, and it's almost as exciting for us as getting someone's offer accepted on their dream home... or getting an offer signed around on the home they're selling.  I know people think that Real Estate is about houses, and while, yes...that is partly correct, it isn't completely correct.  :-D  Real Estate is more about the relationships we form with our clients, and assisting them with their goals. 

  As we've talked about, once you hire a Realtor to help you with your home adventure, you are ready for the 'fun' part.....LOOKING AT HOMES!  :-)  This is always an exciting time for buyers, and it should be!  Every home you pull up to has the possibility to be 'the one'....The one you make an offer on, the one that you buy, the ONE that becomes YOUR HOME...and it is very exciting.  For the sellers though, it is very stressful because currently it is THEIR home, and they're leaving so that strangers can come in.  As a Realtor, we are trying to make this as easy as possible for both the buyer and seller, but we need help...

From the homeowners (sellers), we are asking that the home be available to show, that the home be clean, nothing of value is being left out, all medicines are put away and out of sight (not left in bathrooms or kitchen cabinets), anything that a seller wants excluded from the sale is noted, that sweet pups are either removed or kenneled, that sweet kitties are noted as inside only or inside/outside ok, and that please, please... homeowners (sellers) be gone for showings.  As always, there is more to it than this, but that is a different class....and email.  You can always call me for more information when you are selling your home. 

 
From the buyers....it gets a bit more complicated...  before we go house shopping, we are asking that you have a pre-approval letter with a solid lender, we are asking that you do not look at homes above your price range, we are asking that you have thought about the Top Three things you want in a home (so we can show you homes that have those items you value most), and that you help us help you....  
    When a Realtor opens the lockbox to show you the home, we are taking responsibility for everything that happens from that moment on....until we lock up the house and put the key back into the lockbox.  As I say all the time...  Real Estate is NOT like HGTV...  you don't just get to wander the home while your Realtor sits outside...  we must be with you at all times when touring your potential new home.  Sometimes this can be like herding cats, but we understand your excitement...  just please, please as you are touring the home, and we know you have your family with you, please...we must all stay together.  Don't make me sing to you here.....
    As cool as those toys look, I'm sorry but the kiddos can't play with them, and sorry...but you can't jump on the beds either.  It's ok to open cupboards, and closets, but we can't open dressers, or go through someone else's personal items.  Touring a home is a VISUAL thing....sorry.  Yes, you can use the bathroom. 
    When it's wet out (and frankly lately it's been more wet than not), it's always a good take off our shoes before we enter someone else's home so be sure to wear easy on & off shoes.
    When we are looking at homes, often we have more than one home to look at, and many homes are owner occupied so your Realtor makes appointments.  We do the best we can to make sure we have enough time to look at the homes, but we need to stay within our timeframes as the sellers are waiting to come home after we leave, or there are other Realtors waiting to show the home.  I promise we are not trying to 'rush' you through the home...we are just trying to stay within the timeframes so that you can see the other homes on your list. 

    Looking at homes is exciting, and many of you will send your Realtor a long list of homes to go see, but what you don't know.....yet...that looking at homes is exhausting, and they quickly starts to blend together.  Don't look at more than 6-8 in one appointment.  I've had clients look at up to 10 at once, and that is a lot. We can do it....just be prepared.  Your Realtor should give you a print out for each home we see, so be sure to take notes on each of the houses because they will blend together and you will not remember what you liked, or didn't like, about the first couple of homes by the time we get to the last couple of homes.  :-) 

    With the real estate market being so crazy right now, it's important that if a home comes up that you like, that you let your Realtor know as soon as possible so we can make an appointment for you to see it.  Your Realtor should be sending you a list of homes as they come on the market for you to check....drive by the homes...check out those neighborhoods....and let's make an appointment to go see the inside of the home.
    Do not trust Internet photos!  Realtors hire professional photographers for our listings for a reason.  :-)  Internet photos are a lot like internet dating...you don't know what you're going to get when you get there  
 
   Like the neighborhood, but not sure about the house?  Let's at least go check out the inside!  You never know as you can't judge a book (or a house) by its cover. 

    ASK QUESTIONS!!  For heavens sake...this is a home you are thinking about buying...  ask questions!  As your Realtor, we are here to help!  If we can't answer your questions, we can at least set up in the right direction to get those answers. 
Buying a home is a very emotional experience.  Your Realtor is here to point out pros/cons, and to help you.... Trust your heart, but use your head...  or your Realtor.  :-)  Remember that we work FOR you.


Thank you, as always, for reading this. Now, as we enjoy the holiday with our family....let's take a moment to remember WHY we have this holiday....to remember our brave men and women who fought, and died, so that we can enjoy our time with our families.  Memorial Day isn't just about BBQ's, fun, and family...  it's about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  We Remember....

I hope this helps you this week!  Please, if you have any questions, please feel free to call, email, text, or even facebook me anytime.  I am always here to help!   

Information is power, and I hope that I am help you!  Good luck, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there....  If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you.
 
I hope that explains this a bit, but if you have any questions, or comments please call or email me anytime!  Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me.  I would love to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure!  :-)

    As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one.  Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships.  Your agent, and your lender work for YOU.  You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals.  Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure.  The goal is to be informative and non-promotional.  :-)  We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure.  
 
Thank you again for your business and your referrals!!  ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. 
 
 ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... 
 
 

Upcoming Topics:
Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask,


What if I don't have a Down Payment? .....  &....
What does an Agent do for me?


Last Week:  Buyers Due Diligence...what you need to know

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,   
;-D   
Tracie DeMars   

Real Estate broker    
Re/Max - Van Mall   
360/ 903-3504 cell   
360/ 882-3600 fax   

www.traciedemars.com   
traciedemars@aol.com   
    

“Interested in free and non promotional home education classes?  Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."    
   - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

0 Comments

Buyers Due Diligence

5/14/2017

0 Comments

 
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Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes:
Saturday, May 20th, from 12pm-3pm (ish)
        Vancouver YMCA, conference room
        11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave)

Thursday, May 25th, from 5pm-8pm (ish)
    
 Marshall Community Center, conference room
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

​
Saturday,June 10th, from 9am-12pm (ish)
       Marshall Community Center, conference room
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)


If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know.  We understand that you have lives, and families, and work.  We will work something out that works better with your schedule.  Just let us know....                                                                                  
....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website
                  
Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner!  :-D
                                ~~~~~~~~~

Happy Mothers Day!

  It's that time again (and again!)...  CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!!  :-D
Saturday, June 17 from 3pm-6pm.

Chris Berg & I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us.  Didn't we just have one?  Well, yes...yes, we did and we had so much fun that we want to do it again! 
Which one now? Well, it involves some Disney, a red car, a tow truck, some really good music, and really good friends along Route 66 .  
Come join us for Cars 3!!
This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us!  There's always room for friends and family too.  :-)
We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via Facebook or email to either Chris Berg (
cberg@pcmloan.com) or Tracie DeMars (traciedemars@aol.com) for right now.  

We are always excited for the client appreciation events, and it's almost as exciting for us as getting someone's offer accepted on their dream home... or getting an offer signed around on the home they're selling.  I know people think that Real Estate is about houses, and while, yes...that is correct, it isn't really correct.  :-D  Real Estate is more about the relationships we form with our clients, and assisting them with their goals.  Once we
get an offer signed around...there's so much more that needs to happens before we get keys.  So, let's talk about that for a bit... 

 
Now...on to our weekly home buyer education!  We are going to talk about Buyers Due Diligence, and why this is so important for you.
  
   I saw a very interesting home this week that was right across the street from a cemetery.  Now, that wouldn't bother me, but for some folks...that would be a BIG thing.  My clients liked the land but did not like the house...the house was ...  interesting.  :-)  It was a 1925 home, that had been 'worked' on over the years, and probably not professionally.  When I am showing homes to clients, I get asked many questions about the home....some I can answer and some I can't.   Some of the answers we can find out, and some...well, you never really 'know' a home until you are the one living in it.  So, what are some questions I can not answer... is the home haunted?  Um....I don't know?  Has there been a violent crime in the home or in the area?  Um...I don't know?  Believe it or not, that isn't considered a relevant fact when listing the home as it doesn't actually affect the home.  

   When selling a home, the seller (and sellers agent) is only obligated to disclose known material facts about the home on the sellers disclosure, and this is only  about the home during the current sellers ownership.  So what is a 'material fact'?   A 'material fact' is considered to be something that structurally affects the home.  The sellers disclosure is about 6 pages long and the seller is 'supposed to' disclose all known facts about the home on it.  However, if anyone has teenagers you know how often 'supposed to' gets done.  Some sellers will disclose ALL facts about the homes....even those items that have been repaired, some sellers will only disclose those items that they haven't gotten around to fixing, and some sellers just have no idea about anything in their home.  Of course, this is why we do a home inspection.  It isn't that you can't trust the sellers, but when it comes down to it, most sellers don't know anything about their home.  This is called 'Buyers Due Diligence'.  A buyer does have some responsibility for doing some research on the home, and area, that they are wanting, or trying to, buy in.  If your buyers agent knows anything about the home or area then we have to legal responsibility to disclose it.  In Washington, all sellers are required to fill out the 6 page sellers disclosure on their own.  Their Realtor can not do it for them, or help them fill it out.....however, if the seller is a bank, or it is an estate, or an investor then there won't be any sellers disclosures, or if there is, most questions will be answered with "don't know". For every question on the sellers disclosures, the sellers have 4 choices to answer...  "yes, no, don't know, or NA", and every question must be answered....no empty boxes.  When you receive a copy of the sellers disclosure though...remember to take it with a grain of salt, and hire a good inspector.  Many sellers now will even just put a majority of 'don't know' answers on the sellers disclosure so as to not have any liability.  The majority of sellers aren't trying to 'hide' anything about the home, they just truly don't know.  A realtor will hand the sellers disclosure to their client, the seller, and that is it.  We, real estate agents, can not help the seller fill out the sellers disclosure at all.  If you have any questions regarding anything on the sellers disclosure, your Realtor can request more information (if there is any) from the sellers through their sellers agent.  Make sure you also address any concern you have regarding the homes condition to the home inspector you hire.  He (or she) should be able to help you with that.  The inspector I usually refer out encourages the buyer to walk with him during the home inspection so that the buyer is part of that inspection.  I like to call it a 'crash course in homeowning'.  :-)  By the time he is done with the inspection, my client usually knows more about the home than the current owner does!  I can't stress it enough....ask questions!  You are paying for the home inspection, so walk around with the home inspector, ask questions, learn about what the inspector is checking, and be a part of the home inspection.
 
   Your realtor will help you find out as much about the home as possible.  Your agent should be present at your home inspection, and so should you.  However, whether or not the home is haunted or not, we really can't help you with.  Whether or not there has been a violent crime in the home or area is another thing that we really can't help you with, but we CAN help you by providing some places where you can do some research.  Has anyone died in the home?  Again....I don't know..., but if it is an older home, and/or an estate?  Maybe you should leave out some milk and cookies occasionally?  :-)  

   What about that new building being built in the neighborhood?  Your Realtor probably doesn't know what it is, and honestly we shouldn't guess.  That is something that a buyer will want to do some research on.  Is that garage conversion permitted?  Call the city/county.  Your Realtor will help you find the information, but when it comes down to it, because of past legal problems, we are now limited on the extent that we can delve into everything....but we can help you get there still.  It is weird, but there it is.  There is a lot your Realtor can, and will do for you, and we will do all that we can to make sure that you are getting the best customer service possible.  Your Realtor should help you to make sure that you are performing your buyers due diligence to make sure that you won't get any unexpected surprises later.  I am a huge fan of talking with neighbors....neighbors are a great source of information on a home.  :-)  Please remember that you are not just buying the home, you are buying the neighborhood.  One of the questions I always ask my clients is if they have thought about the area they want to move to?  Have they looked into schools, if that is important.  Have they considered locations regarding work, or family/friends?  I encourage my clients to drive around, and check out the neighborhoods they're interested in.  Drive by the homes you are interested in seeing, look at the neighbors, yards, parks, cars, etc...  check out those things that are important to you.  Vancouver doesn't really have a 'good side', or 'bad side'...Clark county has a lot of 'pocket neighborhoods'.  In a two mile radius you can have million dollar homes, new developments, 'sketchy' neighborhoods, and established 'homey' neighborhoods.  Clark County has something for everyone!  :-)  What are you looking for in a home/neighborhood?  What are your top 3 things you want (not counting price)?  As a realtor we can not 'steer' you towards, or away, from any neighborhood.  Our job is to help you find the best home we can, in your price range, that fits what you want.  As an agent, I will help you get all the information I can, or direct you to places that can help you get that information.  For example....census.gov is an excellent site to check out neighborhoods, and schools.  Check it out!  :-)

   So...buyers due diligence....talk to neighbors, walk around the home, and neighborhood... and write down a list of questions.  Ask your inspector about these questions to check out.  Ask your real estate agent to help you find out some answers to these questions, or if they can't find the answers, help you find some places where you can do some research or ask questions.  Your Realtor is here to help you!  Remember that your Realtor works FOR you.   Make sure you know what you are getting into....and any questions?  ASK!  ...and keep asking until you get answers!   As always, if you have any questions, please call or email me...I am always here to help.  :-)  Remember...I am a real estate broker, and I look forward to helping you on your home buying adventure...and assisting you to get those keys.  :-D  Whether you are buying, or selling your home, my goal is to be the real estate broker you think of.  I really want to help you with your first time, and every time.  I believe that real estate is about relationships.....and no...that is not a shameless plug!  LOL
   
I hope this helps you this week!  Please, if you have any questions, please feel free to call, email, text, or even facebook me anytime.  I am always here to help!   

Information is power, and I hope that I am help you!  Good luck, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there....  If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you.  
 


I hope that explains this a bit, but if you have any questions, or comments please call or email me anytime!  Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me.  I would love to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure!  :-)

    As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one.  Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships.  Your agent, and your lender work for YOU.  You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals.  Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure.  The goal is to be informative and non-promotional.  :-)  We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure.  

If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard...or if you would like me to help you with your home adventure, please call, email,  text, or facebook me anytime.  I am, as always, happy to help!
 
Thank you again for your business and your referrals!!  ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. 
 
 ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... 
 
 
Upcoming Topics:
What if I don't have a Down Payment? .....  &....
What does an Agent do for me?


Last Week:  What happens after the offer is accepted?

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,   
;-D   
Tracie DeMars   
Real Estate broker    
Re/Max - Van Mall   
360/ 903-3504 cell   
360/ 882-3600 fax   
www.traciedemars.com   
traciedemars@aol.com   
    
“Interested in free and non promotional home education classes?  Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."    
   - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

0 Comments

What happens AFTER the offer?

5/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes:
Saturday, May 13th , from 9am-12pm (ish)
       Marshall Community Center, conference room
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Saturday, May 20th, from 12pm-3pm (ish)
        Vancouver YMCA, conference room
        11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave)
If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know.  We understand that you have lives, and families, and work.  We will work something out that works better with your schedule.  Just let us know....                                                                                  
....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website
                  
Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner!  :-D
                                ~~~~~~~~~

Happy Monday!

  It's that time again (and again!)...  CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!!  :-D
Saturday, June 17 from 3pm-6pm.
Chris Berg & I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us.  Didn't we just have one?  Well, yes...yes, we did and we had so much fun that we want to do it again! 
Which one now? Well, it involves some Disney, a red car, a tow truck, some really good music, and really good friends along Route 66 .

This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us!  There's always room for friends and family too.  :-)
We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via Facebook or email to either Chris Berg (cberg@pcmloan.com) or Tracie DeMars (traciedemars@aol.com) for right now.  

....and...  free coffee card to the first 15 people who can tell me what their favorite NON-Disney cartoon movie is, and  why! .....  :-D


We are always excited for the client appreciation events, and it's almost as exciting for us as getting someone's offer accepted on their dream home... or getting an offer signed around on the home they're selling.  I know people think that Real Estate is about houses, and while, yes...that is correct, it isn't really correct.  :-D  Real Estate is more about the relationships we form with our clients, and assisting them with their goals.  Once we get an offer signed around...there's so much more that needs to happens before we get keys.  So, let's talk about that for a bit... 

 
What does happen after you have a mutually accepted offer?
 
Earnest Money.....
Now that we have a mutually signed around and accepted offer, we need to get the earnest money check deposited with the title company. The earnest money is due within 3 days of mutual acceptance....business days. The earnest money is typically for $1000- $2000 and is refundable based upon the rules from earlier emails. The earnest money check can be a personal check unless we are dealing with a bank owned property. Bank owned properties will want a cashiers check deposited with their title company. Earnest money checks are made out to the title company and not to the seller or your buyers agent. Earnest money checks are deposited with the title company and they will deposit the check. The title company will also receive a copy of the signed around purchase and sale agreement to open escrow. The title company will send you a title report either by email or mail. Take a look at it and follow any instructions they have sent you. Any questions please contact your buyers agent, or call the title company as well. Your buyers agent will make sure that the title company, and your lender also receive a copy of the purchase sale agreement to begin the actual loan process. 
 
Lender...
At this time you will be meeting with your lender and going over more paperwork, signing more things, and providing updated paperwork.  Once your lender has the purchase sale agreement, s/he will have you come in to sign disclosures. 

Inspection.....
Remember that while we have 10 days to do the home inspection, I usually advise my clients to have one ordered and done within 7 days of the mutual acceptance as that gives us time in case something comes up. As always, you and your buyers agent should be at the home inspection! Once the home inspection is completed then you and your buyers agent discuss and write up the requested repairs. Sellers have the right to negotiate repairs, and/or to deny doing any of them at all. The home inspection is around $350-$425 and is non-refundable.
 
Appraisal....
Once the inspection is completed and all parties have agreed upon repairs, if any, then it is time to order the appraisal. As the buyer you need to let your lender know that it is ok to order the appraisal. An average appraisal is $600-$800...depending upon the lender and/or company, and is paid for by the buyer. The lender orders the appraisal, and s/he comes out within a couple of days of the lenders phone call. Most appraisers will not contact either agent about when they are doing the appraisal...they just go out and do their thing. There are a couple of different types of appraisers out there....there is the appraiser who thinks s/he is an inspector and will poke around the home, the appraiser who just walks around the home and takes some notes...there is also the type of appraiser who will only appraise the home to the purchase/sale amount and stop once they have reached that amount, and the appraiser who will do a complete and total appraisal...who we get is a crap shoot....you just never know. We don't get to choose the appraiser, and neither does the bank or lender.
Once the appraisal is done the appraiser will turn in the paperwork to the lender within 5-10 days...with or without additional stipulations. Sometimes an appraiser can, and do, ask for some repairs to be done to the home. These are considered bank required repairs as if they are not done, the bank will not loan on the property.
When the lender receives the appraisal they will contact the buyers and buyers agent with any bank required repairs, and the appraised amount of the home. For this example we are just going to assume that your home appraises for at least the purchase/sale amount, or more.
 
Underwriters....
Once the lender has the appraisal, and all your paperwork, the lender will turn in your file to the underwriters. Hopefully the underwriters have already seen your file at the pre-approval time, but you need to remember that underwriters work for the bank, and their job is to protect the bank, and the banks interest. They will go over your file with a fine toothed comb and sent some stipulations back to your lender. Your lender will then contact you, the buyer, your buyers agent, or whomever they need to get your stipulations met and cleared. Sometimes it is just explanations, sometimes it is more information, and more paperwork. Once they have all those underwriters questions cleared up, they will send your file and all the new stuff back up to the underwriters again. Sometimes the underwriters send it back again with even MORE stuff they need....it happens... Once the underwriters are finally content and happy they will approve the file and order docs. Docs are good! During this time it is really ALL UP TO the underwriters...not your buyers agent or your lender. We will do all we can to help you with all the information you need, and to get as much information as we can as to what is going on. It is a scary time as no one really knows what is going on...or what the timeframe we are looking at is.....
This whole process can take about 2-4 weeks after the appraisal...depending upon the situation and what all is needed.
 
Documents (aka: Docs)...and Title....
When buyers hear the beautiful words of, "we have ordered docs and the title company should be calling you soon to make an appointment to sign"...most buyers want to call the title company immediately to make that appointment, and I am sorry, but it can't be done. :-) Once docs are ordered it takes anywhere from 24-48 hours for the title company to receive those docs. Once the title company receives those docs they will call you, the buyer, to make that appointment. The title company will also let you know how much, if anything, is owed at closing. If the buyer needs to bring anything to closing it does need to be in the form of a cashiers check, and don't forget to bring your drivers license!
 
Signing and Closing....
We all get excited at the call from the title company for signing. Yes, even your buyers agent...we are excited for you too! ;-D As a buyers agent we have been there every step of the way with you and know how hard you have worked for this. It is a great feeling to help someone buy a home.... Anyhow, I digress... When the title company calls you for the signing appointment they will also let you know if you need to bring any money to signing (see above). The title company will also let you know how much you can expect to receive back after closing as well, and to be honest, most people like this better! lol
Signing is done at the title company and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. You are signing for acceptance of the loan, and the property....acceptance and responsibility. You will receive copies of everything you have signed. Your buyers agent may, or may not be there for signing. Some agents don't go to signings, and some do. I plan to be at all my clients signings, but sometimes appointments conflict. The signing appointment is at YOUR convenience, and not mine. :-D Once signing is done, you will be advised to call all the utility companies and put all the utilities into your name at closing so that nothing gets shut off. Remember to PUT ALL THE UTILITIES IN YOUR NAME AFTER SIGNING.... there is a lot going on right now, and you will be so excited, and nervous that it is easy to forget. Your buyers agent will help remind you. :-) .
When all your paperwork is signed the title company will be contacting the banks and sending all the paperwork back to the underwriters for a final review, When all is ok'd, then the banks authorize funding, and then funding gets confirmed.
 
Closing....
Closing happens without you or your buyers agent. The title company handles closing. Once the title company receives confirmation of funding which is all done by wires then the paperwork is taken to the courthouse for closing. Closing is where the courthouse actually transfers ownership of the home. This whole process takes about 24-48 hours from signing...and remember nothing happens on the weekend! If you sign Thursday morning, you will get keys Friday night. If you sign on Friday, it won't be until Monday afternoon. If you sign on Monday afternoon, it will probably be Wednesday morning. Recording at the courthouse depends upon when the wired funding confirmation happens. If they get it in the morning, you could record that afternoon and have keys around 5pm.....if it happens in the afternoon, then it probably won't record until the next morning in which case, you will record and get keys the next morning....around noon.
Closing is the best because closing means your agent will give you keys!!! Once the title has recording numbers for closing, the title company will call you, or more likely, your buyers agent. Once I receive that call, as a buyers agent, I will call you immediately and let you know that we are closed and to see when we can meet up to get you KEYS!!! Congratulations as this is the moment you have worked for and it can be very emotional. As a buyers agent this is my favorite time, and one of my saddest.... I love to give clients keys...it is just the best feeling! The saddest part about is that now we won't be talking almost every day, and I need to find another client! lol
As always, there is always more going on than what I can put in a quick email. Every transaction is different, and so are you. No two deals are the same.....call your buyers agent with any questions. A buyers agent will be there with you every step of the way and will be open to all questions. A buyers agent will also let you know each step and what we can expect during that step, and after....no surprises! :-D
 
 

I hope that explains this a bit, but if you have any questions, or comments please call or email me anytime!  Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me.  I would love to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure!  :-)
    As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one.  Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships.  Your agent, and your lender work for YOU.  You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals.  Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure.  The goal is to be informative and non-promotional.  :-)  We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure.  

If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard...or if you would like me to help you with your home adventure, please call, email,  text, or facebook me anytime.  I am, as always, happy to help!
 
Thank you again for your business and your referrals!!  ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. 
 
 ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... 
 
 
Upcoming Topics: Buyers Due Diligence,

What if I don't have a Down Payment? .....  &....
What does an Agent do for me?


Last Week:  Costs & Fees of Buying a Home

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,   
;-D   
Tracie DeMars   
Real Estate broker    
Re/Max - Van Mall   
360/ 903-3504 cell   
360/ 882-3600 fax   
www.traciedemars.com   
traciedemars@aol.com   
    
“Interested in free and non promotional home education classes?  Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."    
   - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).



       
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    Tracie DeMars
    real estate broker with Re/Max

    I have been in real estate for about 16 years now, and I have seen the market up, down, and now going up again.  I teach the Clark County Free Community Classes for Home Buyers & Home Sellers to help buyers learn about the loan, and home buying process; and sellers to learn about the paperwork and process of selling a home.  We are volunteers, and have no affiliations so we are able to tell it like it is...with no sugarcoating.  The pros, the cons, we tell it all in a fun, engaging, direct manner that encourages class attendee interaction and involvement.  Classes are free and non-promotional and held at community locations.  Walk -ins are welcome and all are invited.  
    ​Whether you're buying or selling a home, Education should always be your first step! 
    **we now offer Home SELLER classes too, by reservation.  It is a sellers market out there, and the classes are designed to go over all the paperwork, the 'right' questions to ask, how to make sure your agent is really working for you, what a CMA (comparable market analysis) is, and what is considered a comparable home....and going over the settlement statement.  What are the fees?  What are you going to net???

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