Buying or selling a home in Mitchell? Lucas Indiana Realty can help.

For many people, purchasing a home is a stressful event. However, with a little up-front planning, it's not that hard. So they'll understand exactly what to expect, I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. Should you have any questions about any of this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase a home
There are plenty of things you need to do before you start searching for a home. It's likely that you'll want to put together an outline of must-haves, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and start planning your budget. A good principle to follow is that your mortgage payment should be less than a third of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. We can schedule a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Mitchell area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I'll also help you begin the loan process. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Mitchell, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They'll assist you in figuring out which kind of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start your home search
After our first meeting, I'll start looking for available homes on the market that are great for you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and exclude the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the homes when it's convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll identify positive features and bad ones. And I'll ask you about things you like and dislike. Generally, buyers update their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some items become more necessary than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings one more time and narrow it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the housing market
My awareness of the Mitchell housing market is a leading aspect in your home search. I'm informed of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I will alert you to some districts are "hot" and require immediate action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for careful consideration.

As we view houses, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's list price has room for bargaining and also when I believe the house is "priced to sell." Any real estate agent in Mitchell will convince you they know the home market, but keep an eye out, and be sure to ask plenty of questions. If things don't add up, call me at 8128494663 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will help you stay a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
We'll find the home of your dreams in Mitchell, and when that happens, I'll thoroughly create your purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clear title.

When we send in your purchase offer, most likely you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property and is typically put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the beginning offer. It's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it intimidate you. We'll talk about whether or not to consent to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get your loan
After we sign the final deal, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-qualified, this shouldn't take long at all, but you need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to involve all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy. I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks adequate.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and hassle-free affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, be sure to call me at 8128494663 or e-mail me at .