It seems obvious, but it's good to note that the first step to buying a house is making the decision to buy. Consider the reasons you want a new house and write them down. Determine how long you want to live in the new house. Does buying vs. renting still make good financial sense? Can you afford a house that will meet your list of requirements? A good rule of thumb is your mortgage payment should not exceed 1/3 of your net monthly income. In areas where home prices have seen double digit increases, it is often difficult for buyers to meet this ideal, however a professional loan officer should be able to point out potential risk factors for your own financial situation and help guide you in making wise choices.

At this time, I can also determine the amount of loan you will qualify for, (I am a licensed Realtor AND a Loan Officer with Mission Real Estate & Mortgage) and even complete your loan application to submit to a lender so that you can be "pre-approved" - a conditional approval from the lender. This provides sellers with proof that you can obtain financing, and is necessary to make your offer competitive with others. Pre-approval assures sellers that if they receive and accept an offer from you, there is less likelihood of having a deal fall apart during escrow.

After our initial meeting, I'll search the multiple listing service (MLS) and all of my resources for houses on the market that fit your criteria. I'll preview these houses to eliminate the duds. Then, I'll schedule appointments to tour the houses at times convenient to you.

As we tour houses, I'll point out positive features and negative features. I'll ask you to tell me what you like and what you don't like. You'll probably amend your buying "wish list" as we tour houses, some things will become more important and others less important. With this new information, I'll refine our search criteria to narrow in on the house of your dreams.

My knowledge of the local market is an essential factor in the house search. I'll let you know when the market in a particular neighborhood is "hot" and requires immediate action or when the market is "cool" and allows for thoughtful consideration.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has negotiating room and when the house is "priced to sell". My unique market knowledge will keep you a step ahead of the "house hunting competition".

In a "seller's market", it is not unusual to see multiple offers on a property, full-price offers and even above-price offers. On the flip side, during a "buyer's market" there are more houses for sale than buyers. This gives us more negotiating room as houses are taking longer to sell.

The offer is normally presented with "earnest money". This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is applied to your closing costs. If the seller accepts the offer, generally closing is held 30 to 60 days from the offer date (generally dependent on the turn around time of your mortgage financing).

Market conditions will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We will also work within your limits. Emotions can lead to buyer's remorse. It is better to set limits prior to negotiating an offer and stick to these limits.

During the closing period, we will be working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. Since you were pre-approved for the loan before starting your home search, you will be that much closer to the end. I'll let you know and gather from you the necessary property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house and make it your home. Enjoy this exciting time. I'll give you a checklist to help you remember the numerous details that will make your moving day a pleasure.