Hello, friend!
Thank you for taking time to learn more about Chapter One Real Estate and the journey we can go on together to accomplish your homebuying goals. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and learn about your specific needs and wants!
the buyer journey with chapter one real estate
Step 1: Mortgage Preapproval
Step 1: Mortgage Preapproval
Step 1: Mortgage Preapproval
Getting preapproved with a mortgage lender is an important first step in the homebuying process. This not only helps buyers understand what they can afford (and sets the budget for the home search), but it also saves time, as a preapproval letter will often be required when a buyer falls in love with a house and wants to put in an offer ASAP.
Step 2: The Home Search
Step 1: Mortgage Preapproval
Step 1: Mortgage Preapproval
What are you looking for in your next home? What are your must-haves? Where do you want to be? What can you live without? With these answers in mind and the budget set by the preapproval process, we will help you seek out, tour, and analyze the available options on the market.
offer & negotiation
Step 3: Offer
Step 5: Contract & Earnest Money
Step 4: Negotiation
It’s crucial to partner with a professional, licensed real estate agent who is experienced in the local market and has the research and analytical skills to help you determine a competitive offer that secures the home you want at a price that fits your budget.
Step 4: Negotiation
Step 5: Contract & Earnest Money
Step 4: Negotiation
Everything is negotiable in a real estate transaction, and each side is only looking out for their best interests.
Our job as your buyer representative is to keep your best interests as the priority throughout the negotiation process.
Step 5: Contract & Earnest Money
Step 5: Contract & Earnest Money
Step 5: Contract & Earnest Money
Each real estate transaction requires a lot of paperwork. We help ensure all necessary forms are included, and that you, our buyer clients, understand what you are signing. Once a contract is signed by all, the earnest money check is deposited.
inspections & appraisals
Step 6: Inspections
Step 6: Inspections
Step 6: Inspections
This is a crucial opportunity for buyers to do any and all inspections of the home before they buy it. These inspections should be done by professionals and can include a general home inspection, pest/termite inspection, radon and lead-based paint testing, and others. A resolution period allows for any issues to be resolved (by seller) or accepted (by buyer) or for the contract to be terminated.
Step 7: Appraisal
Step 6: Inspections
Step 6: Inspections
Most real estate transactions that involve a loan will require an appraisal, which is ordered by the lender but paid for by the buyer. The appraisal ensures that the home’s value equals what the buyer has agreed to pay for it. If the home does not appraise for the contracted price, the buyer can pay the difference on their own, terminate the contract, or renegotiate the price with the seller.
the road to closing
Step 8: Loan Application
Step 9: Homeowner's Insurance
Step 9: Homeowner's Insurance
Once the contract is in place, you will be working with your lender on your loan application, providing whatever they need to approve the loan and fund the closing.
Step 9: Homeowner's Insurance
Step 9: Homeowner's Insurance
Step 9: Homeowner's Insurance
It’s the buyer’s responsibility to secure homeowner’s insurance within 14 days of the bound contract. You can use the final contract to acquire quotes and choose a provider.
Step 10: Title Search
Step 11: Final Walkthrough
Step 11: Final Walkthrough
An attorney or title company will be chosen by each party to close their side of the transaction. These professionals will execute the required searches to make sure title is clear and able to be transferred.
Step 11: Final Walkthrough
Step 11: Final Walkthrough
Step 11: Final Walkthrough
A few days before closing, we will walk through the property to ensure that it is in the same or better condition than it was when you first agreed to buy it.
closing day - you made it!
What to expect
What to expect
What to expect
Before closing, you will receive a copy of the Closing Disclosure, which outlines all of the costs and credits associated with the closing. At closing, all of your mortgage documents will be presented to you for signing. This closes the deal, and the house officially becomes yours.
What to bring
What to expect
What to expect
All you really need to bring with you to closing is your driver's license. The funds needed for closing - any mortgage downpayment or other buyer closing expenses - will be sent to the closing office via secure wire transfer prior to closing.
Our Pledge of Performance
As buyer representatives, we are committed to educating and empowering clients to embark on the homebuying journey with confidence, navigate the process with efficiency, and secure their next home at the best value.
We vow to keep your personal information confidential at all times, to be available and responsive to you through the entire process, and to coordinate all aspects of the contract and closing.
