Announcements

STEPS IN THE BUYING PROCESS

Step 1:  Defining What You Want

Start by creating a prioritized list of what you want in your next home and why. Remember, depending on your funding, you will probably need to make some compromises. In addition, talk to your real estate professional about where you want to live. Location is a huge part of any move.

Step 2:  What You Can Afford

A mortgage professional can help you crunch the numbers & get a pre-approval. This accomplishes two important goals. First, it will tell you how much house you can afford and what your monthly payments would be. Second, it tells the seller that you can afford to buy their home. Many times a buyer can use this pre-approved status as leverage during the negotiation process.

Step 3: Shopping For Homes

Beginning your search online can help save you time since it can help you target homes that meet your search criteria. Begin visiting homes in person. Ask your real estate professional to arrange visits and attend open houses that are in your target area and price range. Remember to keep an open mind when you are looking at homes.

Step 4: Making An Offer

Once you find the home you want, you need to make an offer for the house. This is a very difficult and trying time since both parties have totally different goals. In most cases it is better to have your real estate professional negotiate the offer. This might also be a good time to consider buying a home protection plan. This policy can be purchased by the buyer or seller and they help protect against unexpected costs or home repairs during the listing period or in the initial years after a home has been purchased.

Step 5: Inspection & Insurance

After your offer is accepted you will need to set up, coordinate and interpret various inspections, including insect, radon, building quality, oil tank, title, etc. You will also need to arrange for homeowners insurance and finalize the mortgage. This is a major step in the buying process and there are many potential problems that can be discovered during this period. These problems happen all the time. The difference between closing on your dream home and starting the process all over again is what occurs during negotiations between you and the seller. In most states you will also have the option of a "walk through" before the closing. This is your last chance to make sure that all of the items that you have agreed upon were completed to your satisfaction

Step 6: The Final Closing

Before you arrive at the closing, make sure all necessary paper work & deposits have been completed. If the mortgage, title work, homeowners insurance and other items necessary under local and state laws are not completed and brought to the closing table, the closing may not happen on time. Depending on what the contract says, this could result in further action, including financial penalties and even the loss of your rights to the home.

Once you close, it's official - you own the house! But there might be a few things you want to do before you lay out your welcome mat. These include arranging for an alarm system, turning on the electricity, subscribing to the local paper, cleaning or replacing the carpet, arranging for lawn services, etc. This could also be a good time to make some needed renovations.

Count on your Real Estate Broker to:

1. Preview available homes to weed out those that are overpriced, or undesirable in some other way.

2. Present the homes that suit your needs as you’ve defined them.

3. Help you determine the difference between a “good buy” and a property which, because of its nature (neighborhood, market appeal, etc.), might have to be discounted if you sell in the future.

4. Negotiate the best deal for you. With a Pre-Qualification letter from your lender in hand, your Real Estate Broker will be able to demonstrate that you are a very qualified and capable borrower. This will strongly influence the Seller, and may make the difference between the Seller accepting your offer or someone else’s – even if your offer is higher

Count on your Mortgage Broker and Loan Officer to:

1. Assist you in selecting the best loan to meet your personal situation and goals. (This single decision can save thousand of dollars throughout the years!)

2. Keep you informed of your loan status throughout the entire process.

3. Keep your Real Estate Broker informed of your loan progress. (Note: personal information is always kept confidential between you and the lender; only deal points, rates and progress are shared.)

4. Get the appropriate loan for you at the best rates and fees. This will save you significant money “up front” and throughout the years to come.

Count on yourself to:

1. Keep your Real Estate Broker informed of any questions and/or concerns as they develop.

2. Keep the process moving by providing documentation and making decisions as soon as is reasonably possible. By doing so, many of the details are taken care of early in the process so you can comfortably concentrate on any last-minute details or events that require your attention.

3. Enjoy purchasing your home, but do remain objective throughout – to make the business decisions that are best for you. Make sure you are pre-approved as early as possible. This will put the power of financing behind you so you can concentrate on selecting your home.

Announcements

STEPS IN THE SELLING PROCESS

Step 1: Creating a Marketing Plan

Create a marketing plan for your home that will help distinguish it in your local marketplace and attract Buyers to your property. Including advertising in the newspaper, posting your listing on the Internet, holding an open house and more.

United California Realty has the Marketing System to create a personalized selling program for clients. Its purpose is to sell a home at the best price possible in the shortest amount of time.

Step 2: Setting the Price

A key part of the marketing plan is setting the list price. If a home is priced too low, it may cost you money. If a home is priced too high, potential Buyers may be scared away. To determine the best list price review the cost of recently sold homes, evaluate the competition and study marketplace trends.

United California Realty Sales Associates are trained to use this information to help you reach the right asking price. It is also helpful to discuss other terms and conditions, such as timing and items that can be included with the sale of the home. Both of these can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Step 3: Showtime

Now it's time to get your home ready for the spotlight. Start with a good cleaning from ceiling to floor, then remove all clutter, add a fresh coat of paint and tidy up the yard. Talk to your real estate professional about other tips that can help boost a home's curb appeal and impress potential buyers once they're in the door. One way to make a home more attractive is to purchase a Home Protection Plan. This insurance protects you & the seller from paying repair or replacement costs of major items during the listing period. It also protects the buyer during their first year of homeownership. Make sure all disclosure laws are followed.

Step 4: Protecting Yourself

In some cases, a home sale can also be an invitation for danger. Here are some things you can do to make it safer.

1. Ask for identification

2. Ask for pre-approval letters

3. Lock up or hide valuables

4. Remember "For Sale" signs bring in buyers. Do not allow your children to open doors to strangers

5. If you have pets, make sure they are controlled

6. Remove anything dangerous

Step 5: Making the Deal

A buyer has made an offer - now it is time to negotiate. Rely on

United California Realty to guide you through this process. We will help you arrive at an acceptable price, terms and conditions. Once you have accepted an offer, help keep the deal together by meeting deadlines and criteria, i.e., home inspections, appropriate buyer visits, scheduled down payment deposits and other steps. In fact, during this period there may renegotiation of the accepted offer price depending on the outcomes of these visits. As the final closing nears, you may also need to do some repairs or additional work to the house as agreed upon in your contract. In addition, you will need to have the house "broom clean" prior to the closing so that the buyer can complete a final walk through. When you finally arrive at the closing table, come prepared with the appropriate certificates and approvals as required by your town, county and state. A list of what you need will be provided from UNITED CALIFORNIA REALTY Once the money has exchanged hands and all the papers signed it's time to hand over the keys and concentrate on your next big project - getting YOUR new home in order.

Count on your Real Estate Broker to:

1. Preview available homes to weed out those that are overpriced, or undesirable in some other way.

2. Present the homes that suit your needs as you’ve defined them.

3. Help you determine the difference between a “good buy” and a property which, because of its nature (neighborhood, market appeal, etc.), might have to be discounted if you sell in the future.

4. Negotiate the best deal for you. With a Pre-Qualification letter from your lender in hand, your Real Estate Broker will be able to demonstrate that you are a very qualified and capable borrower. This will strongly influence the Seller, and may make the difference between the Seller accepting your offer or someone else’s – even if your offer is higher!

Count on your Mortgage Broker and Loan Officer to:

1. Assist you in selecting the best loan to meet your personal situation and goals. (This single decision can save thousand of dollars throughout the years!)

2. Keep you informed of your loan status throughout the entire process.

3. Keep your Real Estate Broker informed of your loan progress. (Note: personal information is always kept confidential between you and the lender; only deal points, rates and progress are shared.)

4. Get the appropriate loan for you at the best rates and fees. This will save you significant money “up front” and throughout the years to come.

Count on yourself to:

1. Keep your Real Estate Broker informed of any questions and/or concerns as they develop.

2. Keep the process moving by providing documentation and making decisions as soon as is reasonably possible. By doing so, many of the details are taken care of early in the process so you can comfortably concentrate on any last-minute details or events that require your attention.