Buyer's Corner
ATTENTION!!! There is a new tax credit for certain existing home owners. If you are a qualified purchaser who has owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of 5 consecutive years during the last 8 years, you are eligible for a $6500 tax credit if you buy another home and close by June 30, 2010. Note you must be under contract by April 30, 2010. Also you do not have to have sold your current home to be eligible. For more information see the "frequent questions on the tax credit" section on the First-time home buyers page .
This is a new program available through my company. Contact me to register your cell phone so that you will not get called by a stranger. Click here for instructions for the WNC Hot Line . To view a very short video on the WNC Hot Line click here .
I can help buyers in the Asheville area and in Brevard. There are many great neighborhoods that I would like to share with you including Forest Lake, Biltmore Forest, Biltmore Lake, Montford, Fairview, Leicester, Arden, and Weaverville.
For buyers my services are FREE because, my commission is typically paid by the seller at closing. So it is virtually "free" to you as the buyer because it is typically built in to the cost of the home at the time the seller lists the property.
Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of choosing the right REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. My Buyer Services and dependable experience range from helping you find the home that best suits you and your family, to negotiating the best price and terms, to arranging for the inspections, and helping you obtain financing in order to achieve your dreams. For your convenience, we also provide listings by email . I pride myself on repeat business and am confident you'll come to understand why.
If you scroll down, you will see that I have compiled a lot of information for you including the buying process (click here for a diagram) , forms you will encounter, what you should ask and expect from your realtor, etc. There is a buyer's guide and a video for first time homebuyers explaining the special credit . One of the first steps in the process is the buyer's interview. The interview questions are sent to you when you first register on my site. If you were not comfortable completing a survey at that time, you can find the form here . You can download the form as a Word document, complete it, and email it back to me. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or register below . I am always looking for ways to improve my site and to provide you with information that is of value to you.
Info on process and various forms
Buyer Guide
How I Can Help
Before you start looking
Closing Costs
Info on process and various forms
In North Carolina, agent/brokers are required to explain to consumers how to work with a real estate agent. The "working with real estate agents " brochure explains the various working relationships you could have with an
agent. When you have an interview with an agent, he or she should
discuss the brochure with you and get your signature indicating that
you understand its contents. Remember this is not a contract. You are not committing yourself to working with that agent. Basically this is similar to "Miranda Rights" in that you are warned that anything you say can be used against you unless you have an agreement with that agent.
Most agents will ask you to sign a buyer's agreement
making that agent your representative. You may be hesitant to do
this until you feel that you like and trust your agent. You have
the option of determining the breadth and time period of this
agreement. You can sign an agreement that is good for only one day or
for even just one property. However, before you can make an offer to purchase property, you have to have a signed agreement with your agent.
If the seller is not offering a home warranty,
you should ask for one as part of your negotiations. This is
critical in older homes or in homes with older appliances. When you have a contract to purchase a home, you should have a home inspection performed
to determine if there are any serious problems. Depending on the
findings, you may find yourself negotiating the cost of repairs. This
can get very touchy as this is where some contracts fall apart. In this
area, radon is a major concern, so this is another test you should
request if the seller does not have a radon remediation system or a
report indicating that radon is not a concern. If the seller does not
have a current survey, this is another item you may want to ensure
there are no encumbrances on the property. Please note that the buyer usually pays for all inspections.
Please note that most states REQUIRE a home seller (including For Sale By Owners) to provide the buyer
with some type of disclosure form. What might the seller have to
disclose?
A Residential Property Disclosure Form requires the home seller to
disclose facts about the home's heating, wiring or plumbing systems,
including any defects that may exist, such as leaks in the roof or
cracks in the foundation. If
something in the home is not working
properly or needs repair, the seller needs to either fix it or disclose
the material defect to the prospective buyer. However, if the property
is being sold by a third party, like a bank or trustee, they may not
know of any possible problems and will indicate this on the form. There are other
disclosure forms, unique to each local area, that require sellers to
disclose negative environmental factors or local building code issues.
A lead-based paint disclosure form is required for homes built prior to
1978. Since 1994, all homes within Asheville city limits are required to have a Certificate of Occupancy. If the seller purchased his home before 1994, he may not have a CO. Consequently one needs to be obtained before closing. Which party pays for the cost of the city inspection is a negotiating point.
This Buyer Guide contains Information about common buyer problems every first time home buyer needs to know!
- Assure that you see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria.
- Guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing.
- Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes.
- Answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.
- Please click here for a complete list of the services I provide for my buyers.
Before You Start Looking For Your New Home:
- Check your credit rating . Straighten out any errors before its too late.
- Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment.
- Find a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved).
- Choose a REALTOR® that you trust and who understands your needs.
- Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs.
- Identify important features you need your new home to have.
- Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account.
- Third-party fees include charges for insurance, title search, and other inspections such as termites and radon.
- Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes.
- Escrow and interest fees include homeowner's insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.
