Looking to purchase your home in Edmond? Realty1 can help.

	If you have any questions about any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at jimt@realty1ok.com.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
Before you commence your home search, there are several things you should consider. It's likely that you'll want to form an outline of items you want to have, get an idea of what neighborhoods and school districts you'd like to live in, and start planning your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is around 30 percent of your monthly income is a good principle to follow.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent in Edmond
This is where Realty1 can help. I'd like to book a time to get together with you and speak with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll discuss the mortgage industry, other economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and schools in the Edmond area.

I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Edmond, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you figure out which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After we meet, I'll start finding homes on the market that best suit you. I'll research most of the homes and remove the bad ones, and then we'll book appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll identify positive features and bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers revise their must-have list as we tour homes and some items become far more important than others. If that happens, I'll go back through the listings once more and narrow it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Get a feel for the market
My awareness of the Edmond market is a valuable benefit in your search. I'm familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I'll let you know certain districts are "hot" and require immediate action and others that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the list price has room for negotiation and also when I know the home is "priced to sell." Any REALTOR^® in Edmond will convince you they truly know the home market, but take note, and be sure to ask your agent plenty of questions. If things don't add up, call me at 405.340.2480 or e-mail me at jimt@realty1ok.com, and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions. My market expertise will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find your dream home
I'm positive we'll find the home of your dreams in Edmond. When that happens, I'll carefully create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs, including a lot of contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, completing the home inspection, and a clean title.

When we present your offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of deals don't close on the initial offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this discourage you. We'll talk over whether or not to agree to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

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

Step 7 – Get financing
Once the contract is finished, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It won't take very long at all if you've been pre-qualified, but you should to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll handle all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of taking your application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount, and RESPA requirements order that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a close range of accuracy. I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will probably occur at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and peaceful occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Success! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you contact me at 405.340.2480 or send me an e-mail.