Your Vision, My Passion, Your New Home.
Buying a Home in Gig Harbor
Where do I start?
Buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so many factors to consider, it's easy to get lost in the “doom scroll” as one of my clients says or maybe you’re unsure where to start or when. That's where I come in. I've helped countless clients navigate the complexities of the homebuying process, providing personalized guidance and support every step of the way. I pride myself on my ability to negotiate skillfully on your behalf, securing favorable terms while maintaining a strong and diligent presence with all parties involved. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, I'm dedicated to helping you find the perfect home that meets your unique needs (without totally emptying your pockets).
Why Choose a Local Agent?
When embarking on one of the most significant financial decisions you'll make, it's essential to have a trusted and experienced advisor by your side. A skilled real estate agent can provide invaluable guidance, support, and expertise throughout the entire process. This new adventure can have many ups and downs, you’ll need an agent that is understanding and can ride the wave and calm the waters. Here are some keys factors to remember when hiring your realtor:
Local Market Knowledge: A knowledgeable agent can provide insights into neighborhood trends, property values, and potential pitfalls.
Negotiation Skills: A skilled negotiator can help you secure favorable terms and conditions, saving you time and money.
Access to Resources: A reputable agent has access to a network of professionals, including lenders, inspectors, and title companies.
Personalized Service: A dedicated agent will take the time to understand your unique needs and preferences, ensuring a tailored experience.
Timely Communication: A responsive agent will be readily available to answer your questions, schedule showings, and keep you informed throughout the process.
Before we embark on your home search, I invite you to schedule a personalized buyer consultation. This one-on-one session is essential to me to have a clear understanding of your unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle. We'll discuss your budget, timeline, desired location, must-have features, and any specific requirements you’d like to address. Most importantly, here we will find if we are a good fit for each other. I’ll then provide you with my trusted local lenders that can appropriately get your financials gathered and diligently provide you with the golden ticket, the preapproval.
You may be asking yourself, why do I need to get pre-approved right away? Imagine walking into a store, you see a few items that catch your eye but you have no idea how much money is in your wallet. That’s how it feels to tour homes without a pre-approval. Getting pre-approved before you start your home search gives you a clear picture of your budget, allowing you to focus on homes within your price range.
I don’t know about you..but I prefer to be two steps ahead. Prepared, equipped, ready to go so I’m not scrambling to get my eggs in a basket. By understanding your financial capabilities, you can avoid falling in love with homes that are out of reach, streamline the mortgage application process, and embark on your home search with confidence. When it comes to writing an offer on a home, having a preapproval along with your offer may give you an advantage over other offers using financing options.
Now that you have your preapproval, you are ready for the fun part! Touring homes!
More Than Just A Home Tour
Whether you’re a homebuying expert or buying your first time, everyone gets excited to step foot into what could be their new abode. You’ll want to chose an agent that doesn’t just open the door for you. Any agent can do that for you. Choose an agent that can also help you determine if the amount the seller wants is comparable based on other homes in that community. No matter your financial situation; buying a home isn’t pocket change, we both know this. I want to save you as much $$$ as possible, and who doesn’t love a sweet deal?
While I am not an inspector nor claim to be, using my experience in the industry for over half a decade now in Gig Harbor, I have earned a keen eye for detail. Good details and possibly costly details that can effect your home purchase. Here are a few items that you should always have on your radar when viewing potential homes to buy:
Roof
Plumbing
Electrical
Foundation
Water Drainage
Furnace/ Heat Pump/ AC unit lifespan & servicing
Sewer lines
Septic or Well- Check public records for more information about the systems history
Pests
Mold and or mildew
Asbestos (yay popcorn ceiling!)
Cracks in the home’s framework
Windows & insulation
Siding
Lead based paint (if built before 1978)
It is always in your best interest to protect your future home investment. Having an inspector licensed in Washington state to conduct a thorough home inspection and shed light on any glaring issues or repairs can save you thousands. Using your inspection contingency can be a very useful tool, but you don’t have to waive your inspection to get the sellers full attention. I will discuss with you all of the options at hand and advise how to leverage your offer without compromising this integral part of your homebuying journey.
The Offer
So, you've found the one. That house in Gig Harbor that's got your heart racing. Now, it's time to make your move. and write an offer. We'll discuss and consider factors like your budget, the market conditions, and the seller's motivations to create an offer that’s both competitive and strategic.
Whether it is a slow market or a faced paced market, timing is everything. We'll submit your offer promptly, ensuring it's seen by the seller right away. And if we're in a multiple-offer situation, I have a few cards we can play to make your offer truly shine without breaking the bank. Remember when I said having a local agent is important? Gig Harbor may seem big at first, but the longer you live here the smaller it actually becomes. Keeping professional and friendly candor with other agent is another key factor to a successful offer.
Remember, every detail matters. From the offer price to the contingencies, to communication from the beginning with the listing agent; I'll guide you seamlessly through the process, explaining each step along the way.
Your Homebuyers Roadmap
You’re an expert now! Congrats, your offer won and the awful nail biting experience of waiting for the seller to accept your terms is officially over. Sidebar- Honestly, I think this is the most stressful period of the homebuying experience for both of us. If you haven’t noticed yet, I am pretty emotionally invested with all of my clients, you all pull my heartstrings. Call me a softy, but I’m in it for the people. No one likes a heartbreak story so let’s get you that house on the first try!
Back to business! So you’ve won the offer, now what? You should be on the lookout for your “signed around” contract in your inbox. This is just real estate jargon we use to say that both the seller and the buyer have agreed to all terms in the purchase and sale agreement and we’re ready to move forward. In this email, you will also receive a schedule from me of what to expect all the way up to closing day. Use this as your guide to keep pace of what is to come and what to check off as we go along. Again, I’ll be reminding you as we approach deadlines (if applicable) such as:
Inspection date and our inspection response to the seller
RSS (Septic Inspection, Pump & County Approval), Well Inspection
Financing contingency (your pre-approval will already be complete so this will be the underwriting period and complete loan approval) If you are paying cash, this does not apply to you.
Appraisal (usually TBD within a few days of going under contract)
Title contingency
Homeowners Association & neighborhood review contingencies
Transfer of utilities
Scheduling signings
Final walkthrough
Closing day & handing over keys
The Finish Line to Your New Gig Harbor Home
We’re now on the home stretch, here is what to expect in the next two weeks. The finish line is in sight. The last two weeks before closing can feel both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but don't worry, we've got this. I always remind my clients there is always a “quiet time” as we approach closing. I’ll pop in to check in to make sure you haven’t gotten cold feet. Just know myself, the listing agent, seller, your lender and the title company are all working diligently behind the scenes to get you to the next steps without any (hopefully) unforeseen bumps:
The Final Walk-Through: Think of this as your final inspection of your new home. We'll check for any new damages, ensure all repairs (if any) have been made, and verify that everything's in good shape to close.
Time for Closing Docs: Get ready to sign documents! The Closing Disclosure (detailing loan terms and costs), Mortgage Note (promise to repay), and Deed of Trust (securing the loan). These signings usually happen at the escrow office or with a notary. I will keep you on track to schedule this signing with plenty of time before closing day.
The Big Day: Closing Day: This is the day you've been waiting for! I’ll be keeping you informed of all movements going on behind the scenes. Once the county has come back with recording numbers and we are clear to close, it’s time to hand you keys!
Remember, after closing….my duty to you doesn’t stop there. I’m always a text, phone call, or email away. You can rely on me for information on home vendor referrals and all other questions you may have. Think of me as your go to home resource, I’m always ready to help.