Buying or selling a home in Tamuning? Latte Stone Properties, LLC can help.

Purchasing a home is an intimidating event for many people. However, with a bit of up-front planning, it isn't all that complicated. So they know exactly what to expect, I'll give buyers a road map of the entire deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are a lot of things you need to do before beginning your home search. When you start your search, you'll probably want to create a list of features you want to have, plan for what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and start planning around your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 1/3 of your net monthly income is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Tamuning
This is where I come in. We'll set up a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, school districts in the Tamuning area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I'll also help you begin the loan process. I partner with some of Tamuning's finest mortgage professionals, so you'll be in great hands. They will assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a home
After our initial meeting, I'll start finding homes on the market that best suit you. I'll research many of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll book appointments to view the homes when it's most convenient for you.

As we view homes, I'll call attention to good features and negative ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. Most often, buyers amend their must-have list as we view houses and some things become more substantial than others. If that's the case, I'll go back through all the listings another time and trim it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My knowledge of the Tamuning market is a crucial factor in your home search. I am informed of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll communicate what neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and some that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful examination.

As we tour houses, I'll be sure to tell you when the seller's list price has room for bargaining and also when I trust the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask a lot of questions, as any real estate agent in Tamuning will convince you they comprehend the market. If things don't add up, just call me at (671) 647-5577 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
We'll find your dream home in the Tamuning area, and when that happens, I'll precisely develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as getting financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

Upon presenting your offer, most likely you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is usually put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of contracts don't close on the initial offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this alarm you. We'll figure out whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market circumstances. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll put together a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain financing
Upon finishing the contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It won't take very long at all if you're already pre-approved, but you need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a close range of accuracy. I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then we'll close on your home. This will likely happen at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and hassle-free occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, make sure you contact me at (671) 647-5577 or e-mail me at .