Click here to the view The Curtiss Team Moving Day Countdown

1. Ask Your Lender About Available Mortgage Programs
2. Research the Terms of the Mortgage
3. Get a Pre-Approved Loan Commitment
4. Do Your "Home-work"
5. Make a Checklist
6. Find a Realtor
7. Make an Offer
8. Appraisal
9. Hire A Home Inspector
10. Buy Homeowners Insurance
11. The Close of Escrow... Your 'Celebration'

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions a person can make, but it can be a complex process. The Curtiss Team offers homebuyer tips with a checklist of the 10 essential steps to help make the process smooth and successful.
 

Ask Your Lender About Available Mortgage Programs: An experienced mortgage company should be able to work with you one-on-one to determine exactly which mortgage programs will meet your individual needs and what you can qualify for based on your personal information. Applicants with higher credit ratings and/or higher levels of financial reserves generally receive more competitive mortgage rates. But with hundreds of available mortgage programs, there is usually one to meet the needs of almost any homebuyer. For those with excellent credit, there is even a way to get a mortgage with 0% down.

For more lender and mortgage information, feel free to go to: Bank of America

Research the Terms of the Mortgage: Different mortgage lenders have varying price structures that can affect the amount that you pay for your home. An annual percentage rate (APR) includes the actual interest rate on the loan, as well as certain fees and costs associated with the loan. Because a customer may be paying points and other closing costs, the APR disclosed may appear to be higher than the actual interest rate quoted for the loan. Not all lenders calculate APR identically; however, it does give customers a relatively fair method of comparing price on their potential loans.

Get a Pre-Approved Loan Commitment: Even before the house hunting begins, homebuyers need to determine how much they can afford and what is 'comfortable' in the larger scope of your lifestyle. Mortgage companies or other lending institutions provide pre-qualified loan commitments. Sellers often don't take an offer seriously unless the prospective buyer has some assurance of creditworthiness from a mortgage company. A pre-approval means more because a full credit report is ordered on the customer so that a true loan decision can be made the same day a customer applies. Shopping for a home with a pre-approved mortgage enables a buyer to negotiate with a seller and submit an offer on a home with confidence that the mortgage will be issued and the sale will be completed.

Do Your "Home-work": Be sure to go online to sites such as www.ConejoValleyLifestyle.com to check for listings, neighborhood information, current mortgage information and home ownership services. The right amount of research will help you to better understand the marketplace and homes available in your price range when you're ready to work with a real estate professional.

Make a Checklist: To help make the home buying process a little easier, homebuyers should create a checklist of the important features they want in a home. Location and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms are usually important. Other important questions to answer: What will the commute to work be like? Are there shopping centers, parks, and schools located near the home?

Find a Realtor: The Curtiss Team will represent the buyer's interests and identify homes that are for sale and in the right price range. Niki & Dionne will consult with you, the buyer, in order to fully understand your needs and desires in a home and community.

Make an Offer: Niki and Dionne will prepare the purchase offer contract, explaining contingencies that protect you (such as inspections and disclosures), and discussing negotiation strategy to obtain the best possible price and terms for you. You will make an earnest money deposit with your offer that is applied to the purchase price at the successful closing.

Appraisal: Generally the Buyer is protected in the purchase contract with an Appraisal Contingency - that the property must appraise at no less than the agreed sale price.

Hire A Home Inspector: Making an offer contingent on an inspection by a registered home inspector can save thousands of dollars by avoiding unseen problems. Inspectors will check the house for any structural damage. While the contract states you are purchasing the property in its 'as is' condition, it is nevertheless subject to your satisfaction with the condition of the property. The inspectors will check the house of any structural issues. You may negotiate repairs with the Seller. Prior to closing, you will have a 'walk-through' of the house to check any agreed repairs have been completed.

Buy Homeowners Insurance: Lenders require homeowners insurance to protect the new homebuyer's interests as well as their own. There are many providers so shop around for the best rates.

The Close of Escrow... Your 'Celebration': The closing is handled on behalf of the Seller and Buyer by the title and escrow companies. You are not physically present for this process - the title company delivers the grant deed to the county recorder's office and the title to the property is transferred to you. Congratulations!

Think of yourselves on a journey...We are your pilot, flying you to your destination...We may encounter some turbulence along the way.
However, we will steer you through it and bring you to a safe landing!

Click here to view the Emergency Instructions for the 88 Types of Turbulence!