Buying a home is a significant life choice and decision. Hometown Realty Group strives to listen deeply to our clients needs. We meet our clients where they are at on their life journey. Whether you are a first time home buyer, a new or expanding family, downsizing, job changes, or life style change. We at Hometown Realty Group will help you discern this transition with prayer and our considerable knowledge of real estate.
Hometown Realty Group agents are trained experts in their field. They know how to guide you in the right direction with each and every move. We are committed to working faithfully, ethically, and spiritually throughout the transaction. We strive to create clients for life by going above and beyond their expectations with the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We are dedicated to making the home buying process as efficient and smoothly as possible for all parties involved. In order to accomplish this for our clients we have provided suggested steps and how to obtain this goal with you.
Choose a link from the list below, or follow them step-by step to learn more:
Preparing to buy a home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Fortunately, a Hometown Realty Group agent can partner with you in seeking the home to meet your needs. You first may want to ask yourself these questions:
You may want to make a list or brainstorm about the features and amenities that you find most appealing in a new home.
Before you choose a real estate agent, it is important to talk to your family, friends, and neighbors for a recommended agent in your area.
When contacting a Realtor, feel free to ask them the following questions:
Once you have chosen an agent, it is important to establish specific goals that you would like to meet. It is very important to communicate with your real estate agent and, in turn, that your real estate agent communicates with you.
It is important as a buyer that you have established a working relationship with a lender prior to viewing homes with your realtor. Your lender will be able provide you with a "pre-approval" based upon your finances and credit history in order to make a general assumption about your loan amount.
The pre-approval process is when a lender looks at all of your finances and determines the amount of money you could afford for a mortgage.
In order to get pre-approved for a loan, you need to contact a lender. Your Hometown Realty Group agent can give you recommendations of a lender that you feel comfortable with, and that offers programs best-suited to your needs.
Now it is time to start the exciting search for homes! You may want to narrow down your search by asking yourself the following questions:
Searching for a home is becoming easier than years ago. We now have the Internet as a powerful "home finding tool," as well as the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
Beginning the search for your new home can be a great feeling. It is important that you directly communicate what your desires are in a home to your real estate agent.
You may want to first begin by making a list of the features and benefits that are most important in your pursuit of finding a home. These could be:
Looking for a home in an area where you feel comfortable is key. If appropriate, instruct your real estate agent to look for homes in the specific areas you have designated.
Real estate contracts can be confusing and long, however this is where Hometown Realty Group will navigate you through the process. We feel it is important that you understand what it is that you are signing. Our goal is to help you make this as easy and stress free as possible. We know this can be a time of high anxiety and we will do everything we can to guide you through this process in the most informed way possible.
As your Buyer Agent we can advise you on what type of offer to make. Price is not the only issue. Wiil the Seller pay closing costs? How much of the closing costs? Will the Seller leave the appliances? When is the best time to plan the closing? Do you want a home inspection? Do you want a Radon Test? If something is wrong, who will fix it and how much will it cost? These are just a few of the issues we address in the offer.
Negotiating:
The Seller won't necessarily accept your first offer. We will discuss a strategy while writing the offer. Sometimes it is good to offer low and then come up a little. Other times it is better to make one offer and stand firm. We can help you make those decisions.
Once your offer is accepted you can make a formal application with your mortgage lender. To successfully complete your loan application, you will be required to provide some specific financial information. Your Mortgage lender will also ask you for permission to request a credit report fromone or more credit reporting agencies. To facilitate the process , this handy checklist will help you and any co-borrower gather the necessary information.
When you made your offer we asked if you wanted a home inspection. The bank does not require a home inspection but we do recommend it. You will pay the inspector when the inspection is completed. It is not part of the normal closing costs on your good faith estimate.
Helpful Hint:
The Home Inspector is looking for actual mechanical and structural defects, not cosmetic flaws. The plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and appliances must be in safe and working order.
Here are the reasons why you should consider a home inspection:
1. A home inspection gives you more detailed information to help you make a wise decision. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to :
2. A home inspection gives you an impartial, physical evaluation of the overall condition of the home and items that need to be reparied or replaced. The inspection gives a detailed report on the condition of the structural components, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation, and ventilation, air conditioning, and interiors.
3. It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every aspect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector.
Insuring your home is like making an investment in your future. You work hard to have a home; homeowners insurance protects you and your family from someone or something taking it all away.
There are many different forms of insurance:
The Attorney or Settlement Agent will conduct the closing for you. At closing you will sign and receive copies of all the documents pertaining to your purchase and new mortgage. The Attorney or Settlement Agent will also do the title search. He/she will look up the legal history of the property at the City/County Courthouse and make sure that there are no new title problems that could stop you from free and clear use of your new property. He/she will make sure all owners have signed all the deeds and there is no one who can come back and claim they own the property.
The closing process is always changing. It is even referred to as "settlement" or "escrow" in different parts of the country. With increased technology, most closings are completely automated and both parties do not have to be present at the same time to sign.
Closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title insurance, termite inspections, surveys and appraisals).
The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for the property. The amount the seller receives is based upon the amount that is still owed on the mortgage, any outstanding fees or taxes, and any additional closing costs. All legal papers are filed with the local record office.
It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It is important as the seller to take a final walk through the property to make sure the property's condition has not changed. It is equally important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.
Plan to have everything transferred to your name for the day of the closing.
Electrical Services:
Harrisoburg Electric Commission
540-434-5361
Dominion (VA Power)
1-888-667-3000
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
540-879-2551
Natural Gas:
Columbia Gas
1-800-543-8911
Cable Television:
Comcast
1-800-934-6489
Ntelos
540-271-0141
Dish Network
1-888-261-6928
Direct TV
1-866-535-9593
Division of Motor Vehicles:
Harrisonburg/Rockingham County
1-866-368-5463
Website
www.dmv.state.va.us
Telephone Companies:
Verizon
1-800-483-4000
Shentel
540-434-4449
Water & Sewer:
Harrisonburg
540-434-6783
Rockingham County
540-564-3020
Broadway
540-896-3541
Grottoes
540-249-5896
Augusta County
540-828-6205
Bridgewater
540-828-6183
Dayton
540-879-9538
Remember:
Forward U.S. Mail!
You can do this online at www.USPS.com
The Walk Through
In the last few days before closing, we will do a walk-through inspection of the home. At this time we can make sure that everything in the contract has been completed, all repairs are done, all of the Seller's personal property has been removed and the home is in satisfactory condition.
Get Cashier's Check
The day before closing the Attorney/Settlement Agent wil fax us a copy of the closing statement which shows how much money you will need to bring. We will go over the closing statement to make sure there are no mistakes. You will need to get a cashier's check made payable to the Attorney/Settlement Agent to bring to closing. It must be certified funds because you get the house at closing and your check cannot bounce.
You have unpacked your boxes, arranged your furniture, and feel complete with your moving task. What's next? There is always an adjustment period when you move. It is important to understand that what you, your spouse and/or children may be feeling is completely normal.
Here is a list of a few things that may help:
Tell your friends about Hometown Realty Group! Our business and continued success depends on referrals from good customers like you. We appreciate your referrals, and promise to give excellent service to anyone you send our way. Continued blessings on your journey!