Call Me Before You Shop For a New Home

If a new build home is what you’re after, you should know that you can negotiate a new construction purchase with the builder/developer. As an experienced REALTOR®/developer, I can help you get the best deal possible just like in a resale transaction. My expert representation will not cost you a dime. Yes, that’s correct – you get professional representation for your purchase and it doesn’t cost you a thing! How does this work? It’s simple because the builder/developer pays the commission to your agent. So, since it doesn’t increase the your cost, you have nothing to lose and you gain an advocate looking out for your best interests. Just be sure to contact me before you look at model homes.

Get Pre-approved for a Loan

This has never been more important! Lending guidelines changed dramatically since 2009. Start off on the right foot by getting pre-approved so we will have no surprises. There is no cost or obligation. I will be happy to recommend someone to help! Once you are pre-approved, it’s time to go shopping!

Find a Home

We will ask probing questions to determine your “wants and needs”, and the Naples Lifestyle that you desire. Most importantly, WE LISTEN.

We will search the market and review properties and communities together. Once we find the perfect home for you, it is time to submit the offer.

Write an Offer

Once we find the right home, we’ll do some research to see how long the home has been on the market, what the owner paid for the property and recent home sales for the area. We will use this information (and more) to come up with an offer price. In Florida, verbal offers are none binding, so all negotiations will be in writing. Our offer will also specify who will pay closing costs. We will also propose a closing date, usually 30-45 days from our agreement date. The offer will also include a time period for inspecting the home, appraisal contingency and finance contingency.

We will always suggest the purchaser engage an attorney prior to submitting an offer. An attorney is crucial in the process and we know experienced, knowledgeable real estate attorneys in Naples.

Inspect the House

Our current Naples Board of Realtors contract offers two primary ways to accept a home’s condition. The primary means is a “due diligence” period. Our contract will specify the number of days for our Due Diligence period. During that time, you have the right to have a home inspection, survey, and depending on the home, even a pool inspection or tree inspection. Next, we will write up an “Amendment to Address Concerns with Property”. You can buy a home “as is”, which means you accept the home with all of its faults. Selling a home “as is” does not relieve the seller from disclosing any known defeats. It is still highly recommended that you inspect the home with the right to cancel the contract with full return of earnest money.

Negotiate Repairs

When we’re finished our inspection, we will make a list of the items we would like the Seller to address. This is a second round of negotiations for the home. The Seller considers our repair request, and can accept, reject, or counter it. If the Seller’s response is acceptable, then you move forward to closing. If the Seller’s response is unacceptable, then you have the right to cancel the contract with full refund of your earnest money (in nearly all cases) and start again with finding a home.

Final Loan Processing

Once we’re through repairs, there’s usually about two weeks where everyone else springs into action. The loan officer puts the loan through final underwriting, reviews the appraisal, produces loan documents, and the Seller has any repairs completed that were negotiated.

Walkthrough and Signing

We’ll go back to the house and do a final walkthrough, to make sure that it is in the same condition as when we went under contract then we will head to the closing attorney’s office.

Closing

Finally! You will sign and sign and sign some more papers. Congratulations homeowner!

Home Buying Basics – Step By Step