BUYER’S GUIDE
TO REAL ESTATE
Phase 1
What is your motivation to purchase a new home?
How quickly can we make this happen?
What areas have caught your eye lately?
What is your time frame?
Phase 2
Choose a local preferred lender*1
Submit a mortgage application, your lender may request preliminary documents*2
Do not make any big purchases!
Receive your pre approval letter.
Let the fun begin! Taking into account your pre approval amount, start the home search process with your Blue Marlin Agent!
*1 Talk with your agent about why a local lender is important.
*2 Timely delivery of preliminary documents can greatly speed up the process.
* Exercise buyer representation agreement prior to showing homes to comply with local and national regulations. (Touring agreement if applicable)
*Did you know? Over 90% of the time, seller pays commission for both agents and is pre-negotiated (Prior to an offer)
Phase 3
Browse and review listings sent to you from your Blue Marlin Agent*
Stay in constant communication with your agent regarding new listings and off-market property opportunities. Allow your agent to make suggestions to critique your home search, allowing for more possibilities.
PLEASE ask your agent questions if needed! (i.e.: school districts for a specific property)
Inform your agent of your personal schedule to allow for an optimized home search, timing is everything in Real Estate.
Once the desired property is found, it’s time to make an offer!
* Listings that are displayed as Contingent, Pending, Back-ups are currently under contract and are not perceived to be available.
Phase 4
Discuss options with making your offer, allow your agent to give industry-leading advice for getting an offer accepted.
Discuss multiple offer scenarios (if applicable).
Wait! Be patient. Sometimes negotiations can last a few hours/days.
Offer Accepted? Congratulations, the fun has just begun!
Your agent will inform you of the timeline to submit an escrow deposit with the title company handling the transaction. This is also on page 1 of the contract.
Communicate with your lending team providing documents and items needed to ensure a smooth and timely closing.
Phase 5
Schedule and complete a home inspection.
Communicate items of concern with your agent and potentially negotiate certain repairs*1
Contact an insurance agent and obtain Homeowners Insurance*
Schedule your survey*2
Meet deadlines and all contractual contingencies, your agent will keep you informed of any such items.
*1 Be mindful of repair requests and allow your agent to make suggestions/compromise
*2 Some lenders obtain these items themselves. Just a reminder to stay in contact with your lender.
Phase 6
Schedule your final walkthrough at the property with your agent prior to closing.
Reserve your closing time with the title company handling your transaction.
Receive final financial figures from lender, communicate with the title company to find out the preferred method of sending funds to the title company for closing*
It’s time for Closing! Remember to bring a form of identification with you to closing, they will need to verify your identity. Sign all closing documents and items needed from lender.
Congratulations! You’ve finally got the keys to your new home!
Take final closing statement to local water department and activate all necessary utilities (ex: electric and gas).
Don’t forget to contact moving services!
* Please verify any and all wiring instructions directly from title company
Phase 7
As a family owned business, reviews are important to us!
Please take a moment to leave your agent an awesome 5 star Google review that is descriptive of the process using the QR code. Send referrals, we would love to work with your friends and family!
Remain in communication with your agent regarding investments, second home opportunities, or even just great restaurant recommendations. Be a great neighbor, we’ll see you soon!
BLUE MARLIN
R E A L E S T A T E
THE BRAND LOCALS USE AND TRUST