Why Do I Need An Agent To Buy A Home?
The truth is that you do not need representation, but without it you could find yourself in trouble. Since buyer's agents are usually paid by the seller, you can't miss by having someone represent you. Especially when you have an experienced agent . Purchasing real estate is a complex and major transaction with many details to be handled. In most cases the seller will be represented by an agent that is looking out for their best interests, not yours. Do you want them to handle your transaction, and get paid double because they didn't have to pay an agent that represents you?
A buyer's representative is responsible for protecting the buyer's best interests. Research by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has shown that when a buyer's representative is used, the prospective buyer found a home faster and examined more properties than consumers who did not use a buyer's representative.
As your buyer's representative we will at no cost to you:

Why should I buy, instead of rent?
Answer: You'll love the feeling of having something that's all yours - a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are. A thriving vegetable garden in the backyard, a tiled entryway, a yellow kitchen...when you own, you can do it all your way! But there's more to owning a home than personal satisfaction. You can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes, too. And interest will compose nearly all of your monthly payment , for over half the number of years you'll be paying your mortgage. This adds up to hefty savings at the end of each year. And you're also allowed to deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. If you rent, you write your monthly check and it's gone forever. Another financial plus in owning a home is the possibility its value will go up through the years.

How much money will I have to come up with to buy a home?
Well, that depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the house and the type of mortgage you get. In general, you need to come up with enough money to cover three costs: earnest money - the deposit you make on the home when you submit your offer, to prove to the seller that you are serious about wanting to buy the house; the down payment, a percentage of the cost of the home that you must pay when you go to settlement; and closing costs, the costs associated with processing the paperwork to buy a house.
When you make an offer on a home, your real estate broker will put your earnest money into an escrow account. If the offer is accepted, your earnest money will be applied to the down payment or closing costs. If your offer is not accepted, your money will be returned to you. The amount of your earnest money varies. If you buy a HUD home, for example, your deposit generally will range from $500 - $2,000.
The more money you can put into your down payment, the lower your mortgage payments will be. Some types of loans require 10-20% of the purchase price. That's why many first-time homebuyers sometimes turn to HUD's FHA for help. FHA loans require only 3% down - and sometimes less. Some other programs may be available to you at the state and local level.
Closing costs - which you will pay at settlement - average 3-4% of the price of your home. These costs cover various fees your lender charges and other processing expenses. When you apply for your loan, your lender will give you an estimate of the closing costs, so you won't be caught by surprise. If you buy a HUD home, HUD may pay many of your closing costs.

How do I know if I can get a loan?
Use our simple mortgage calculators to see how much mortgage you could pay - that's a good start. If the amount you can afford is significantly less than the cost of homes that interest you, then you might want to wait awhile longer. But before you give up, why don't you contact a real estate broker? They will help you evaluate your loan potential. A broker will know what kinds of mortgages the lenders are offering and can help you choose a lender with a program that might be right for you. Another good idea is to get pre-qualified for a loan. That means you go to a lender and apply for a mortgage before you actually start looking for a home. Then you'll know exactly how much you can afford to spend, and it will speed the process once you do find the home of your dreams.

In addition to the mortgage payment, what other costs do I need to consider?
Well, of course you'll have your monthly utilities. If your utilities have been covered in your rent, this may be new for you. Your real estate broker will be able to help you get information from the seller on how much utilities normally cost. In addition, you might have homeowner association or condo association dues. You'll definitely have property taxes, and you also may have city or county taxes. Taxes normally are rolled into your mortgage payment. Again, your broker will be able to help you anticipate these costs.

What do I need to take with me when I apply for a mortgage?
Good question! If you have everything with you when you visit your lender, you'll save a good deal of time. You should have:
1) social security numbers for both your and your spouse, if both of you are applying for the loan;
2) copies of your checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months;
3) evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks;
4) a recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings;
) a list of all credit card accounts and the approximate monthly amounts owed on each;
6) a list of account numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans;
7) copies of your last 2 years' income tax statements; and
8) the name and address of someone who can verify your employment. Depending on your lender, you may be asked for other information.

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