Connie Wise Real Estate

BUYERS' GUIDE
1	Loan Pre-Approval
	Before you begin to shop for a home, enhance your buying power by getting pre-qualified or pre-approved through your financial institution. Why is pre-approval better than pre-qualified? Pre-qualification is an informal discussion between borrower and lender. Getting pre-qualified helps you determine how much home you can afford, based on information you share with your lender. The lender does not verify this information and no guarantee you will qualify for the loan amount. Pre-approval is considerably stronger than a pre-qualification, because the seller knows your financing is secure, your offer is stronger. Getting pre-approved requires your financial information and does serve as a commitment to lend a specified amount. This gives you significant buying power with a seller. Documents that are generally required to process a loan application: Name and address of employer for past two years. W-2’s for past two years. Pay stubs for past two pay periods. If self-employed, personal tax returns for past two years and YTD Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet Housing for past two years: RENTING – name, address and daytime phone of landlords OWNING – mortgage lender name, address and account numbers List of all debts including account numbers, monthly payment amount, current balance, lenders name and address Last two months bank statements for checking accounts. Last quarterly statement on 401-K, savings, thrift, stock, etc. Copy of driver’s license and social security cards. Verification of Social Security or retirement income, if applicable. To verify assets from sale of present home, the following are needed: Listing contract, offer and acceptance and settlement statement.
2	Hire a Real Estate Professional
	Working with a real estate professional is worth consideration because they are legally responsible for representing your interests in a real estate transaction.
3	Define What You Want
	The next step is to create a realistic idea of the property you’d like to buy. What features are most important to you? Make two lists: one of the items you can’t live without and one of the features you would enjoy. Refine the lists as you house hunt. It is also helpful to search online to see what is currently available on the market. Your real estate professional can then show you houses that meet your expectations. Register here for free alerts as properties that meet your specifications become available for sale.
4	Visit Properties
	Now you’re ready to visit houses. Ask your real estate professional to arrange showings and keep track of the properties you’ve seen.
5	Rate the Houses You Tour
	After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn’t like. Develop a rating system that will help you narrow the field down. For example, pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favorite as the standard.
6	Make an Offer
	Once you’ve found your dream home it’s time to get serious about the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Your Connie Wise Real Estate Associate will be a strong advantage in making an offer. You will want to make an offer to purchase and give the seller earnest money to seal the deal. When the offer has been accepted by both you and the seller, you will need to contact your loan officer.
7	Secure Your Mortgage
	When the offer is accepted, secure your mortgage by contacting your loan officer so he or she can order the appraisal and start your final loan process. Your loan officer will give you a good faith estimate which shows your monthly payment as well as estimated cash needed for closing. Once the loan is approved your loan officer will contact the closing company with final closing instructions. The closing company will notify you and your real estate professional of the date, time and the items you will need to bring to closing including the amount of the cashier’s check needed to pay your closing costs.
8	Close
	Before your closing date, make sure you’ve made all necessary deposits and completed the paperwork – including mortgage, title, homeowner’s insurance and any other paperwork required by local or state governments.
9	Prepare for Life in your New Home
	Before rolling out the welcome mat, consider some moving basics: turn on electricity, water, gas, cable and telephone, notify your local post office of your new address, any subscriptions and all of your friends!

SELLERS' GUIDE
	As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you’ll help your Connie Wise Real Estate Associate sell your home faster, at the best possible price.
1	Make the Most of the First Impression
	A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
2	Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends
	Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh paint adds charm and value to your property. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look “with a little work.”
3	Check Faucets and Bulbs
	Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.
4	Don’t Shut Out a Sale
	If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
5	Think Safety
	Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
6	Make Room for Space
	Remember, potential buyers are looking form more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
7	Consider Your Closets
	The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
8	Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
	Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.
9	Open Up in the Daytime
	Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains, raise your blinds so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
10	Lighten Up at Night
	When showing your home in the evening turn on all your lights-both inside and outside. Lights add color and warmth and make prospects feel welcome.
11	Watch Your Pets
	Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Keep your pets either outside or out of the way and make sure your realtor is aware of your pets.
12	Don’t Apologize
	NO matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home’s appearance, let your experienced real estate agent handle the situation.
13	Keep a Low Profile
	Nobody knows your home as well as you do, but Connie Wise Real Estate professionals know buyers - what they need and what they want. Your real estate professional will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.
14	Defer to Experience
	When prospects want to talk price, terms or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert – your Connie Wise Real Estate professional.