Buying Process

How I Can Help You Buy a Home

The following is a brief outline of the home-buying process. When working with me as your buyers' agent I will keep you informed  of  these steps along with all other details throughout your journey!

Pre-Qualification: obtain a pre-qualification letter from a trusted bank or mortgage company. This will help you in establishing the correct price range as well as give you an estimated amount for closing costs and an approximate monthly payment for a home in your price range. It also ensures you are ready to make an offer when you find that perfect home.

Determine wants and needs: it is important to determine the "must have's" verses the wants. Often times these can change over the course of your search.

House Hunt: this is the fun part! We will go out to view houses that you are interested in...days, nights or weekends, my schedule is flexible.

Make An Offer: once you find a property that you want to make yours we will submit an offer in writing to the listing agent.

Fully executed contract: once negotiations are complete and both buyer(s) and seller(s) have signed the contract I will send a copy to the attorney and the lender. I will also deliver the earnest money deposit to the listing agency. At this point and until closing you will need to stay in touch with the lender to complete your mortgage application. You will need to ensure they have all the information they need from you (bank statements, pay stubs, w-2's etc.).

Contact Attorney: The state of CT requires an attorney handle real estate closings. I am happy to refer one to you!

Home inspection: Typically, a buyer has 10-14 days (from date of signed contract) to conduct their home inspections and submit a written request to the seller for repairs. I highly recommend you attend your home inspection.

Appraisal: The bank will order the appraisal. It is paid for by the buyer and prior to the appraisal.

Walk-thru: The walk-thru is done the day before or the day of closing. We will go to the property together to ensure repairs were done and that all of the seller's personal belongings have been removed and the house is in the same general condition as when you first offered on it.

Closing: is typically held at the buyer's attorney's office and usually takes 1-2 hours. This is when you sign your mortgage documents and become the owner of your new home!!! ***Never wire money without verifying over the phone with your attorney***

  When you work with me, you will:

Selling Tips

Staging Your Home For A Sale

Staging your home is important in order to highlight your home's strengths and downplay its weaknesses. It is important to appeal to a large amount of buyers therefore the better the staged your home is the more likely it will sell quickly and for a higher sales price. Kitchen Declutter, declutter, declutter (you will hear this quite a bit)!

• Remove all unnecessary items from the countertops
• Thin out the cabinets (you'll need to pack anyway so why not start now with items that are not used frequently).
• Remove all magnets and anything on the refrigerator
• Clean and declutter on the sinks
• Repair any leaking faucets
• If necessary, add new hardware or paint cabinets

Living Room

• Pack away knick-knacks and collectibles
• Remove extra furniture to make the room look more spacious
• Make sure there is an easy traffic flow from living room to other rooms
• 3 accessories only on coffee tables and end tables
• If there is a fireplace make sure it is clean

Master Bedroom

• Make bedding as neutral as possible
• 3 accessories only on nightstands and dressers
• Considering rearranging furniture and removing furniture to optimize the space
• Declutter and remove items from closet so that it appears more spacious

Extra Room

• Do you have a room that has become a "junk" room? Considering turning it into an extra bedroom or office. You can rent furniture or buy inexpensive furniture to use in the space

Bathrooms

• Remove extra shampoos and other toiletries from the shower and only keep the necessities.
• Remove all items from the countertop except soap
• Repair any leaky faucets or running toilets and re-caulk if necessary
• Organize and declutter your medicine cabinet and linen closet

Throughout the home

• Clean, clean, clean! Make every surface sparkling clean, including windows!
• Remove anything too personal
• Paint adjacent rooms the same color as it will make them appear larger
• When painting use neutral colors
• Replace and ensure all light bulbs are working
• Move valuables, jewelry and medicine to a safe spot
• Watch out for pet odors
• Organize toys

Curb appeal

• Power wash your home, walkways etc.
• Add flowers
• Make sure the lawn is freshly mowed or seed if needed
• Paint any peeling paint
• Add a welcome mat
• Tidy up outdoor toys and garbage/recycling cans

  By working with me, you will: