Home Buyer Checklist

Whether your dream home is new construction or an existing home, you will want to know what to look for as you begin your home search. You will need a checklist for buying a home to serve as your road map with criteria for buying a home.

Check out the list below and how your exclusive buyers agent will help you conduct a home search, negotiate, and close on a new home. An exclusive's buyer agent can help you through the process of buying a home while representing your best interests throughout the purchase process.

Use the home buyer checklist below to prevent errors and to stay on track:

1. Think about and Figure out yourself what size of a house payment you can financially afford.  You don't need a mortgage person for this.  What can you spend each month for a house payment.  Would $1500 or $2500 a month be too much?  What would make you house poor or what  can you spend that you can still take vacations?
   Credit report, FICO score, type of mortgage, shop for best rates and programs.
2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage
   Credit report, FICO score, type of mortgage, shop for best rates and programs.
3. Determine your wants and needs
   Style of home, size, price, location, amenities.
    Write them down on a piece of paper.
4. Seek out an exclusive buyer's agent
   Compare the services of different agents and look for good personal chemistry.
5. Search for homes in the MLS and For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
   Sign up for daily email notification services and stay on top of all new homes coming to market.
6. Communicate with your agent.  Tell him or her what you do or don't like in a home as you go through them.  Don't get upset or frustrated if you have a bad day of searching.  Sometimes you can see 6 or 7 bad homes in a row.  You never know until you open the door.  The pictures don't show the faults.
7. Search for homes on your own in addition to what your agent sends you.  You may search for different criteria and expand your ideas of what you want. Go to my website search for Michigan Homes feature or go to www.Realtor.com
8. Check out the neighborhoods, schools, crime rate, traffic, zoning, and work commutes.  Also check out the Michigan tax rates.
   Rely on your exclusive buyer's agent's expertise and in-company resources. Check the web for helpful information.
9. Do the due diligence and research on your property of interest
   Pull recent solds on properties close to the prospective home in style, size, and location.  Visit  the town or city hall to learn of any zoning changes, liens, easements, or other restrictions.
10. Prepare the offer and negotiate
    Have your exclusive buyer's agent prepare a property value study and ask the seller if there are any other offers and his motivation for selling, deadlines, etc.   Put together a purchase agreement and offer
11. Conduct the home inspections and other inspections
    Take advantage of the inspection contingencies in your offer and get thorough inspections to eliminate any surprises after you move in to your new home.
12. Final negotiations and sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement
    Use the inspection report to re-negotiate, if necessary Walk-through inspection prior to Closing
    purchase agreement and offer
13. Buy homeowners insurance.  Shop and compare homeowners policies and costs.
     purchase agreement and offer
14. Set up the movers.  Be sure to give yourself a few days after closing.  What happens if there is a hitch at the closing table?  You may not be able to move in the very next day.
    What would you do then?
    purchase agreement and offer
15. Set up the utilities to be turned on after the closing.
16. Go over final paperwork.  Go over the HUD settlement statement with your mortgage person and your real estate person before the closing.  Make sure there is no surprises.  You then know what your final number is to bring to the closing.
    purchase agreement and offer
17. Go to the bank.  Get a certified check made out to yourself for the amount the mortgage person said to bring to the closing.
18. Closing
    
    Congratulations.  You now own a Prime piece of Oakland county real estate, Wayne county real estate, Livingston County real estate, Washtenaw county real estate.