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

Buying a home can be stressful for a lot of people. However, with some planning ahead of time, it isn't all that complex. I like to furnish buyers with a road map of the entire deal so they'll understand exactly what to expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have regarding this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Before you begin looking for a home, there are plenty of things you should contemplate. When you start your search, you'll want to put together an index of features you need, get a feeling for what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than a third of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to follow.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent
This is where I come in. We can plan a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home 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 purchase today or in the future.

I'll also help you begin the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Mitchell, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They'll help you choose which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin your search
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin searching for houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll preview most of the homes and reject the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.

When we view homes, I'll show you the positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers change their must-have list as we view homes and some items become far more substantial than others. If that's the situation, I'll look through the listings one more time and narrow it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Understand the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Mitchell home market is an imperative component in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to certain areas are "hot" and require prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for more examination.

As we view houses, I'll let you know if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as any REALTOR will tell you they truly know the home market. If things don't add up, call me at 8128494663 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer your questions. My market expertise will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
We'll find your dream home in Mitchell, and when that happens, I'll thoroughly develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include some contingencies, such as obtaining financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

When turning in your offer, you'll want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the home seller to secure an offer to purchase the property, and it's usually put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of deals aren't closed on the first offer – it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your financing budget. And at the end of the day, we'll create a deal that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
After the deal is finalized, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. This shouldn't be a long process at all if you're pre-qualified, but you should to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll manage all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs within three days of receiving your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your loan application. The estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your home. This should happen at a title company or escrow office and will probably be a smooth and pleasant affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just call me at 8128494663 or e-mail me at .