| The "Basics" | Penny's Tips | The "Details" |
The "Basics"
| The very first step in the home buying process is finding out how much of a mortgage you can qualify for |
| Unless, of course, you have recently won the state lottery or publishers clearing house sweepstakes, have a very rich relative, have recently inherited a large sum of money or robbed a bank and have yet to be caught. If you are not in any of these categories, then I highly recommend you contact a local lender and get pre-qualified or even pre-approved for a loan. If you need recommendations on lenders to call, please contact me and I will be happy to provide you with a list of lenders that have provided good service to me and other buyers in the past. For more info on financing, click here. |
| Learn the buying process |
| It is my job as your realtor to help you find the house of your dreams, at a price you can afford, with the least amount of hassle, for the price you are willing to pay. In order to do that I need to know just what you are looking for. In turn, I will let you know how the process works, step by step, so there will not be any unpleasant surprises along the way. As a member of the multiple listing service and through other sources, I have access to almost all-available homes in the Tallahassee area. I have also worked with many "for sale by owners" and quite often hear about homes for sale before they are put on the market. (Thank goodness for gossipmongers!)
Call or e-mail me to discuss the home buying process with you, answer any questions you may have, as well as identify potential homes that fit your requirements. Together we can narrow down the list of available homes to the ones that most closely fit your needs and your budget, in a very short amount of time. The best thing about all of this is IT'S FREE! That's because the seller pays my fee. Just remember that buying a home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. So you can contact Penny (then sit back and relax knowing you are in good professional hands with someone who will do the leg work for you and guide you every step of the way). |
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Penny's Tips
| Make a priority list of important features you would like in your new home |
| The more thought you put in to the requirements of your new home, the easier it will be to identify the homes that fit your needs the best. For example, drive around town and get a feel for neighborhoods that you like and don't like. (I suggest getting a recent map.) There is no need looking at homes in areas you do not want to live. (This can happen however, when the macho guy driving the car won't look at the map!) Other things to think about are size of the home, floor plan, age, style, etc. |
| Be patient and plan ahead |
| Once you have decided to buy a home, the excitement can lead you to make a hasty decision. An example of this would be your current lease coming due in a few weeks! This is why it is important to start looking 2-3 months before you would like to move. Sometimes the home of your dreams is not currently on the market, and it is a matter of waiting for that special home to become available. You are much better off waiting than compromising and buying a home that you talked yourself into. (Example: Honey I know we wanted a one story, but just think how much exercise we will get walking up and down our new 4 story home.) We will both know when you have found the right house. The signs are: a rapid heart beat, the feeling of excitement, and the words "This is it!" Sometimes that happens after seeing only a few homes; often it comes after seeing quite a few. We keep looking until you get excited about an existing home or you decide to buy a lot and have a home built for you. |
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The Details
| If you are the type of person who really likes to know as much as possible about a subject, (which in this case is buying a home), then this detailed section was meant for you. It contains some more great information on preparing yourself to buy a home. Contact me when you are ready to start looking for your home or have any other unanswered questions. |
| Be sure you're ready |
| Looking |
| Chose a home, Make an offer |
| Get a loan |
| Inspection & final negotiation |
| Closing & possession |
| Mortgage Calculators: |
| How much is your monthly payment? |
| How much house can you afford? |
| What monthly payment is needed for a house with a specific sales price? |
| How much house can you afford with a specific monthly payment? |
| Is now a good time to refinance? |
| True Cost Calculator |
| Other helpful links: |
| Moving and Relocation |
| Financing |
| Want to build? |
| Realty Times.com |
| Home Improvement: Home Ideas Hometime HGTV Bob Vila's Home Site |
| Moving to Tallahassee: If you would like a relocation package sent to you, please click here and fill in the requested information to receive your package. |
| Images of Tallahassee |
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Phone: 850-980-0951
Fax: 850-980-5959
1596 Marion Ave,
Tallahassee, FL 32303