Buying a Home

WHAT EVERY HOME BUYER SHOULD KNOW?
If you think it's about time you bought a home instead of renting, a little homework before you start looking will increase your odds of finding the best buy for you.

Here's how:                                                                          

Figure out your down payment...
Know where your down payment cash will come from. If it's coming from stocks, go ahead and sell them. If Aunt Jessie is loaning the money, get it in hand so you are ready to go.

Locate a lender you are comfortable with...
It's tough to home shop if you don't know what you can afford. Together with a reputable lender, we can help you determine how much home you can afford and which loan program will maximize your buying power. By getting pre-approved for a loan, you'll be a better prospect in the seller's eyes.

Don't rush...
Don't jump at the first home you see. Let us introduce you to different areas and home types to see what suits your needs the best.

Do your due diligence...
Once you've found the home you want, ask us to run a competitive market analysis of other homes that have recently sold, so you'll be able to make a sensible offer to purchase.

Relax...
With expert assistance and a positive attitude; home shopping can be fun and rewarding.

HOW DO I GET STARTED TO BUY MY HOME?
Before you start looking at homes for sale, be sure you do some "homework." Here are some of the things you will need to consider:

Check out mortgage interest rates
What are current local mortgage interest rates for 15-year and 30-year fixed rate mortgages, and for 1-, 3- and 5-year adjustable rate mortgages?

Shop for the best loan...
Which type of loan is best for you? Will you be in the house several years and benefit most from a long-term fixed rate, or do you want a lower, short-term rate because you plan to move soon or expect your income to increase rapidly over the next few years?
Determine how much house you can afford or want to spend…
How much of a mortgage can you qualify for? The loan amount plus your down payment tells you how much house you can afford. Qualify for the highest amount you can, and then decide how much you want to spend.

Locate neighborhoods in your price range...
What neighborhoods feature homes in your price range?
Separate what you “must have” from what you “would like”…
What are your priorities for your next home? How important are public transportation, community facilities, on-street parking, lot size, privacy? How many bedrooms and baths will you need? Will you need a space for a home office? How important are quality neighborhood schools? Are you willing to do work?

WHAT SHOULD EVERY FIRST TIME BUYER KNOW?
The best way to prepare to own your first home is to educate yourself about the home buying process. You can take a class or pick up books from the library. Also, read the real estate sections of your newspaper and consumer magazines.

Here are some things you will want to do:

Ask lots of questions
Learn what questions to ask and where to ask them. Your list of questions when you are interviewing real estate agents will be different than those you ask when shopping for a lender.

Prioritize your criteria:
Determine what you want and need in a new house and prioritize your list.
Study a variety of mortgage choices
Investigate the available loan options and decide which is best for you. You may want to interview several lenders to learn about the many mortgage products available.
Get pre-approved before you house shop
Get pre-approved for a loan before you start looking for a home so you know how much you can afford to pay. Once you are actively house hunting, lock in your interest rate - if it's a good one. This will speed up the closing process.

Work with your agent:
Work with your agent on a purchase offer when you decide on a home. You should ask your agent for a market analysis to find out what similar homes are currently selling for in your chosen area. You and your agent should tailor the sales contract to suit your needs. For example, you can make the sale contingent on a favorable home inspection report.

WHAT SHOULD I ASK MY AGENT?
So, you're thinking about buying a new home! The first place to start is by looking for a professional to help you. An experienced real estate agent will "bind" together the entire process. The right pro will help you find the right property and keep things on track from shopping to closing.

Here are some key questions to ask the agents you are interviewing:

1. Do you represent the buyer or the seller?
2. What are your fees and who pays them?
3. How much time will you have to help me look for a new home? What tasks will you perform for me as my representative?
4. How often will you communicate with me, and how can I reach you?
5. Will you refer me to some buyers you have represented recently?
6. Do you have access to the area multiple listing service, foreclosed listings and other sources of information about available houses?
7. Will you show me all the available houses in my price range, even if another company lists them?
8. Will you give me a comparative price analysis for any homes I am considering?

WHAT CAN MY AGENT DO FOR ME, BETTER THEN I CAN DO MYSELF?
As professionals who specialize in real estate, we complete the home-shopping puzzle. We can help open up the possibilities for your next home with a variety of services:

Financing
We can help you evaluate your financial circumstances, help you decide how much house you can afford and help you select the best financing plan
Housing needs analysis
We can help you sort out housing priorities, the expenses involved in buying a particular home and what steps to take to reach your goal.

Home search
We can show you what properties are on the market in your price range and take you on a guided tour of the homes you're interested in.

Inspection and Closing
We will assist you in a pre-settlement inspection to be sure the terms of the purchase contract are kept, and we’ll follow through to all the way to settlement

The Customized Home Search System for Buyer Representation, offered by Jeffrey Landsman, is designed to provide you with a full service, anxiety-free real estate experience. Jeffrey Landsman will deliver a level of service unmatched in the real estate industry.

This Customized Home Search System answers all of the questions and concerns that buyers are challenged with when purchasing a home. Let Jeffrey Landsman show you how easy your real estate purchase can be.

Through the CENTURY 21® Customized Home Search System, Jeffrey Landsman can offer proprietary marketing tools to provide you with superior service when purchasing your home. Services include:

• CENTURY 21® Internet Marketing Program
• Global Referral Network
• CENTURY 21® Buyer Service Pledge®
• CENTURY 21® Quality Service Survey
• CENTURY 21® Recreational Properties (SM)
• CENTURY 21® Fine Homes & Estates (SM)

Contact Jeffrey Landsman today to answer your questions, provide professional advice, and handle all the details for you.  Like you, today's consumers want comprehensive services from their real estate professional.  Jeffrey Landsman offers the services you want and the peace of mind you deserve.

• Mortgage Services
• Home Warranty Protection*
• Home Inspection Services*
• Title/Escrow Services
• Professional Moving Services

Through CENTURY 21® Connections (SM)Jeffrey Landsman offers you additional services and programs that will help save you money and provide the highest level of service ever offered by any real estate organization. With the Customized Home Search System, the CENTURY 21® System averages a home bought or sold every minute of every day.  Is there any reason we can't help you purchase yours?

*not available in all areas