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Home Buying Process

1. SELECT AN AGENT/ESTABLISH A REALTOR RELATIONSHIP
Stephen White & Associates is a full time, professional real estate agent with vast market knowledge and experience. Stephen White & Associates will work together with you to find the right place to call home.

2. INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH STEPHEN WHITE & ASSOCIATES TO EVALUATE YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Stephen White & Associates will meet with you to discuss your real estate needs. The more precise and direct you are with him, will help him to have a clear understanding of your ideal home. Once all of your needs are established, Stephen White & Associates will provide guidance to get the best financing options available.

3. GET PRE-APPROVED

Today, lenders can be found through a variety of sources. Online searches and referrals are common methods of finding a lender. If you need help finding the right lender based on your needs, Stephen White & Associates can help! Getting pre-approved is a great way to expedite buying a new home and reassuring sellers that you are serious about buying a home.

4. LET’S FIND THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOU
Stephen White & Associates will show you homes based upon the criteria that was established together. This can include private showings, attending open houses, and reviewing houses that may or may not be available to the public.

5. DETERMINING THE SELLER’S MOTIVATION
Once we have found the home that you wish to purchase, Stephen White & Associates will do the necessary research to help structure a successful offer.

6. WRITE THE PURCHASE OFFER
Stephen White & Associates will draft the “Purchase Agreement” for you, advising you on protective contingencies, best practices, and local regulations that you will need to understand. Sometimes during this phase, you will need to provide an “earnest money” deposit. This helps show the seller that you are serious about your offer.

7. SELLER RESPONDS
Stephen White & Associates will review the seller’s responses with you. Stephen White & Associates’ years of experience and negotiating skills will help you in closing the deal.

8. OPEN ESCROW
When the purchase agreement is accepted and signed by all parties, Stephen White & Associates will help you get everything together to open escrow successfully. One of the primary functions of escrow companies is to receive, hold and disburse all funds associated with your transaction.

9. ESCROW
Escrow is a financial procedure in which the escrow company acts as a third-party stakeholder that represents both the buyer and the seller, carrying out both parties’ instructions and assuming responsibility for handling all the real estate transaction paperwork and distribution of funds.

10. THE CONTINGENCY PERIOD
During this time frame typically you would want to perform inspection if it hasn’t already been done, review all contingencies, and do a final walk-through to make sure all contingencies have been satisfied.

COMMON CONTINGENCIES INCLUDE:

• Approval of the home buying disclosure statements
• Approval of any preliminary reports sent from the title company
• Approval of the loan and appraisal
• Physical property inspections
• Pest/termite inspection and certification

11. OBTAIN HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE
During this step, it is important to make sure your policy is in effect at the close of escrow, so that you have adequate insurance coverage for your new home.

12. MAKE DOWN PAYMENT
Depending on how the deal is structured, you will likely need a cashier’s check or money transfer for the down payment prior to the closing date of escrow, this can be several days or a few weeks before.

13. CLOSE ESCROW
When all of the conditions of the purchase agreement have been satisfied, you will sign your loan documents and closing papers with an escrow officer. After all your escrow documents are signed, the deed will be recorded at the County Recorder’s office and you will take ownership of your new home. Once all paperwork has been successfully recorded and you have obtained legal ownership, you will receive the keys and access to move in to your new home.