Victoria Rosario Realtor® 904.990.7540
Victoria@FirstCoastStyle.com
Victoria Rosario Jacksonville Buyer’s Guide
Where Should You Start? On the surface, buying a home may seem like a relatively straightforward process. However there are dozens of variables in any transaction that can make home-buying quite complex. Being prepared and organized makes the process that much easier and more enjoyable. Here are some steps to take before beginning your search.
1 — Get Pre-Approved! In today’s home-buying environment, a mortgage pre-approval is not only essential; it is also incredibly easy to obtain – whether online, over the phone or in-person. A mortgage pre-approval lets you know exactly what you can afford to buy. It also demonstrates to a seller that you are a willing and able buyer. And it gives you a head start in getting an actual loan commitment. Learn more about pre-approvals by contacting one of the lenders below: John Elian, Loan Depot (904) 838-9117 — jelian@loanDepot.com Paul Gregory, Finance of America (904) 415-5166 — pgregory@financeofamerica.com Alan Craft, Prime Mortgage Lending, Co. (904) 333.1155 — acraft@goprime.com
Victoria Rosario Realtor® 904.990.7540
Victoria@FirstCoastStyle.com
2 — Create A Wish List! Almost every home purchase involves some degree of compromise, which is why it is important to prioritize your wants and needs before you begin your search. There are many variables to think about depending on your wants and needs before you begin your search. Depending on your lifestyle, budget and future plans, but some universal considerations include: Location - Jacksonville offers many great neighborhoods, each with its own character and charm. Consider the factors that are important to you, such as schools; transportation; and neighborhood amenities like restaurants, shops and parks. Type of home - A great diversity of housing exists within the city: Singlefamily homes, Condominiums, Lofts, Town homes, New-Construction, Historic homes, Re-sales and Fixer-uppers. You probably have a preference for a certain style of construction. Weigh the pros and cons to narrow your focus. Features and amenities - Garage parking, hardwood floors, a fireplace, outdoor space, amenities, acreage etc. In the end, these are the kinds of details that drive the decision to purchase one home versus another. In creating this list, some things to consider are resale value, your daily routine, and the cost of making changes or additions down the road.
Victoria Rosario RealtorÂŽ 904.990.7540
Victoria@FirstCoastStyle.com
2 — Create A Wish List! Home Buyer Wish List Asking Price Real Estate Taxes Style of Home Neighborhood Views Near Work Near Schools Near Shopping Freeway Access Near Recreation Area HOA / CDD Fees Look/Feel of Home Number of Stories Garage Size # of Bedrooms # of Bathrooms Closet/Storage Space Type of Heat Energy Conservation Green Living General Floor Plan Living Room Fireplace Kitchen Master Bedroom Office/Work Room Finished Basement Patio/Deck Backyard Landscaping Pool Other 1 Other 2
Must Have
Would Like to Have
Don’t Need
3 — It’s Time to View Properties! Once your ready, willing and able to move forward we will schedule showings. When you walk through a home, some things to consider are: how the space functions for your lifestyle; what’s included in the total square footage (balcony, basement or garage); and, in new construction, which features are standard and which are upgrades. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the average buyer will view 15 homes before buying one. Some buyers will purchase the very first home they see. Others will look at more homes. Finding Your Home - Once you have obtained a mortgage pre-approval and selected a real estate agent, you are ready to begin your home search. Today, approximately 90 percent of home searches begin on the Internet, and if you’re searching for a home in Jacksonville, there’s only one web address you need to know: www.FirstCoastStyle.com My web site includes tools, tips and access to all properties listed in the Northeast Florida MLS. Best of all, you’re in control. Sign up for me to manage and customize your search, receive e-mail updates on new listings as they become available, conduct several searches at once and save and compare properties.
*Remember, if you are attending Open Houses or visiting New Construction without me, be sure to mention that you are being represented by an agent. This will save you from being bombarded with calls from other agents trying to represent you. I will supply you with some business cards to make the process even easier.*
Victoria Rosario Realtor® 904.990.7540
Victoria@FirstCoastStyle.com
3 — It’s Time to View Properties! Making An Offer - When you find a home and are ready to make an offer, I will perform a Comparative Market Analysis. This report compares the subject property with other properties that are currently listed and have that have recently sold to help you formulate your offer.
Chances are, when you find a home you absolutely love, someone else may love it too. So it’s important to act quickly. To get the process rolling, I will draw up a contract that includes your offering price and other terms and contingencies we will discuss. Buyers often focus on price, but there are other important terms to a real estate contract. You can include any terms you like, but the more you add, the more likely the seller is to object. the buyer. However, if a buyer is in breach of contract, then a seller may be entitled to keep all or a portion of the earnest money. First Time Home Buyers - Purchasing your first home is a big step, which comes with some very serious decisions. Many homebuyers are intimidated by the process, and continue renting much longer than they should, or need to. However, if you break the home buying process down into these simple steps, and follow these important tips, you will find the process less intimidating, and much more manageable. Before You Begin, Ask Yourself One Question. Will you live in your next home for at least 3 years? If the answer is "Yes," you should probably purchase, rather than continue renting. With average appreciation, you'll break even on your closing costs after 2 years, and start making money at year three. Every year after that will put more money in your pocket! The most expensive aspect of real estate is buying & selling, so the longer you can live in the home the better. However, purchasing makes sense if you can make as little as a 36 month commitment. Down Payment?! It always surprises me how many people want to purchase a home, but don't because they think that a hefty down payment is required. You can get into a property with as little as 3-5% down. If you are VA you know that it’s 0 down. There are also many grants and down payment assistance programs out there that you may qualify for. Let me link you with a qualified lender.
3 — It’s Time to View Properties! The Advantage of Home Ownership - A home is most likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, and it marks a major step in life. There’s no scientific formula that tells someone when they’re ready to buy, but you should take stock of your financial situation as well as your personal lifestyle. In general, there are a number of advantages to homeownership, both tangible and intangible, that you’ll want to consider. Investment - Every payment you make on your mortgage puts you one step closer to acquiring a major possession. And every improvement you make to your property not only enhances your way of life, but also adds value to your home. Protection from Inflation - Once you purchase a home, the bulk of your housing costs are not exposed to inflation. That means your only housing expenses that will rise over time with inflation are property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance costs. Equity - Because a home increases in value even as you are paying down your loan, most buyers effortlessly build equity. Equity creates wealth and can help you accomplish any number of financial goals, such as paying for retirement and funding a child’s education. Tax Advantages - Your real estate taxes and the interest on your mortgage are deductible from your income tax. For many buyers, that tax break can go a long way toward making home ownership just as affordable as renting.
Satisfaction - For many people, but certainly not all, home ownership simply makes life more enjoyable, whether it’s the pride that comes from decorating and maintaining your home or the knowledge that your children will grow up in the neighborhood of your choice. Home ownership is still the American Dream.
Victoria Rosario — Realtor® | 904.990.7540 | Victoria@FirstCoastStyle.com
BUYER SERVICE PLEDGE® CERTIFICATE* As an independently owned and operated CENTURY 21® Office, we are dedicated to providing you with service that is professional, courteous and responsive in helping you find a property. To fulfill this commitment, we agree to provide you with the following services: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Respect you, your needs and communicate in an honest and forthright manner. Make the process of buying your next home as easy and as successful as possible. Value and respect your time, being as efficient and effective as possible. Understand your needs and respond quickly. Use the full breadth of our collective experience, knowledge, tools and the most up-to-date training to best serve you. Consult with you to determine your particular real estate wants and needs. This includes providing information as to the advantages and disadvantages of the choices available to you, in order to help you make informed decisions. Maintain your confidentiality and represent your best interests throughout your buying process. Provide you with the resources you need to help you determine your financial ability to purchase, explain alternative financing methods, and assist in arranging mortgage financing. Provide a Customized Home Search Plan for locating the right property for you, at the right price and terms, in an acceptable time frame. Use available methods to locate the property that will best meet your goals and your needs. This may include properties listed with our office, the Multiple Listing Service, real estate websites, or listings offered through other real estate companies. Utilize the vast and powerful resources of the CENTURY 21 System to get you the results you deserve, including leveraging our network of more than 7400 offices worldwide. Provide the resources of century21.com, which makes thousands of listings available for you to easily review homes that are right for you. Show properties that meet your specifications, in accordance with Fair Housing Regulations and ethical real estate practices. Comply with all legal obligations to disclose material facts known about the property that is likely to affect your ability to obtain the right price and terms. Use our knowledge and expertise to promote the most valuable purchase on your behalf. Assist you in evaluating the market value of properties that are of interest to you, and suggest negotiating strategies to help you obtain the most advantageous price and terms. As your champion, advise and assist you in completing your purchase agreement, and present your offer in a light most favorable to you. Introduce you to other professionals (mortgage lenders, title agents, etc.) for information or assistance as appropriate. Upon acceptance of an offer between you and the seller, monitor all pre-settlement (escrow) activities throughout the closing process as permitted by law or local practice. Consult and communicate with you on a regular basis throughout your entire real estate purchase process. Recommend a home warranty to protect you and the appliances in the home.
21. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We appreciate your allowing us to help you find the right property for your needs. If at any time you have a question, concern, comment or suggestion, please contact: Name: _________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________
Please be advised that the nature of the agency relationship as contemplated by this CENTURY 21® BUYER SERVICE PLEDGE® Certificate may change in the course of a transaction with your permission or by operation of state law. In this event, some of the services represented may change or become void. If any terms or conditions contained herein are prohibited by local law, they shall be considered severed from this pledge and of no force or effect. In the event of any breach under the terms of this 21 Point Buyer Service Pledge Certificate, the buyer (as a sole and exclusive remedy) may terminate the exclusive Buyer representation agreement, provided that the local independently owned CENTURY 21 Office is given ten days (10) written notice of reason for termination and an opportunity to cure the default during the notice period.
A Copy of this BUYER SERVICE PLEDGE Certificate has been received on (date): ________________________________________ From CENTURY 21
By Buyer(s):
Associate:
Current Address:
License #:
Current Phone:
Broker(s):
Email:
* For use in conjunction with written Exclusive Buyer representation agreement ONLY © 2017 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.