Buyer's Guide

Notice it reads, "decide on your budget". In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending for housing, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This goes for all buyers, whether you are buying a million dollar + home or a first time home buyer. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. For a first time buyer, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, sewer, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget. For a buyer moving to a larger home, consider cost such as landscaping, property taxes, home maintenance, pool service, heating and cooling, etc.

Can you shop, visit, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but going alone in this highly competitive sellers market will place you at a distinct disadvantage. The most important role our team of Realtors has is to act as your fiduciary. We are there to protect your interest, and only your interest, when we represent you in the purchase of a home. There are dozens of steps before and during the purchase of a home. One misstep or one missed deadline and your risk losing your earnest money and possibly your new home. 

Not only will our team of Realtors help identify properties and communities you might have an interested, arrange home visits, and ultimately handle the offer and negotiating process, but we also have a knowledge of the market and other financial information which the public does not have access. Consider us your "Shepa Guide" in your quest for your dream home.

Once you have selected the perfect home, now is the time to work with your Scott Fine Homes Group Realtor to craft an offer to "win" the home. In today's seller's market, buyers need to make decision quickly and need a Realtor to guide them through the offer process. In this tough sellers market, our team is winning nearly 70% of multiple offer situations. We know what it takes to win without overextending the financial burden of our clients. 

Realtor-to-Relator relationship is often undervalued when making an offer - particuarily in a multiple offer situation. If the financial terms of all offers are similar, the Realtor will want to work with a Realtor they can trust and will get the seller and buyer to the closing table. Scott Fine Homes Group enjoys an excellent reputation for integrity and protecting our client's interest.

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Your accepted offer typically will have a financing contingency period. If you want to change a lender after your offer has been accepted your will have to do so quickly. Your Scott Fine Homes Group Realtor and operations team will guide you through this process.

If you are paying cash for a home, there is very little paperwork and closing take can less than three weeks from the time you have an accepted offer.

If you are financing the purchase of your new home, no one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and closing attorney.

When you have signed all the paperwork at the closing attorney's office, due to the due diligence of your Scott Fine Home Group team and our business partners, you will know you are the legal owner of your new home.

WELCOME HOME!