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Jafar’s Advises:

Buyer Beware:

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment.But for many home buyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall into at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

• Paying too much for the home
• Losing their dream home to another buyer; or
• (Worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systematized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these home buyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Bidding Blind

What price should you offer when you bid on a home? Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal?

If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bidding blind. Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.

2. Buying the Wrong Home

What are you looking for in a home? A simple enough question,but the answer can be quite complex. More than one buyer has been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small. Maybe they are stuck with a longer than desired commute to work,or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down. Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs. Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.

3. Unclear Title

Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed. The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.

 4. Inaccurate Survey

As part of your offer to purchase, make sure you request an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries. If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.). Be very clear on these issues. 

5. Undisclosed Fix-Ups

Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to. Both you and the seller are out to maximize your investment. Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process. Consider hiring an independent inspector to objectively view the home inside and out, and make the final contract contingent upon this inspector’s report.

This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.

6. Not Getting Mortgage Pre-approval

Pre-approval is fact, easy and free. When you have a pre-approved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.

7. Contract Misses

If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement. Agree ahead of time on a dollar amount for an escrow fund to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on.Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one.

 8. Hidden Costs

Make sure you identify and uncover all costs large and small far enough ahead of time. When a transaction closes, you will sometimes find fees for this or that sneaking through the sub total fees such as loan disbursement charges, underwriting frees etc. Understand these in advance by having your lender project total charges for you in writing.

9. Rushing the Closing

Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on seeing all paperwork the day before you sign. Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction and that nothing has been added or subtracted. Is the interest rate right? Is everything covered? If you rush this process on the day of closing, you may run into a last minute snag that you can’t fix without compromising the terms of the deal, the financing, or even the sale itself.

For more details about above issues and more contact Jafar or ask more details in contact page.

1. Get in touch with your agent.

Before you visit your first model home, sit down with your agent and do your homework.You’ll want to be prepared so that you can determine a comfortable price range for your new home.

2. Seller’s agents versus Buyer’s agents.

Here’s a good point to remember. The sales agent in the model home represents the builder, not you. They are known as seller’s agents. As a buyer you can work with a buyer’s agent at no additional cost. It’s his/her business to best represent your needs by being knowledgeable about home construction, warranties,financing,differences in pricing, quality, even lot selection so that you get the best value for your money.

3. A builder for all reasons.

Like tradesmen, builders vary in their field of expertise.For example, there are builders who specialize in craftsmanship, others who are known for their innovative use of space, and those who offer below-market financing or customer attention during construction and after move-in.

Determine your own specific needs or preferences then shop around for a builder that will best address your requirements.

4. Get the facts about your builder.

Before making a final decision, it is wise to check out the reputation and financial strength of the builder. Get spec sheets on home features covering everything from floor plans to energy efficiency, including lot availability and delivery of your home.

5. Check out the neighborhood.

Learn as much as you can about the community.Discover what amenities it has to offer. Investigate if financial reserves have been set aside to build or replace major amenities like schools or community roads. Find out from local land-use officials what else is planned or could be constructed in the area, especially where vacant land is applicable.Review the rules for the homeowner’s association, or find out if one will be set up.Think of how you will be affected by commuting routes and times.

6. Choosing options and upgrades.

The less expensive the base price of a house, the more options and upgrades you can add without fear of overpricing it for the neighborhood. Options are items the builder installs during construction, such as adding usable space like a sun room or a powder room. These features can add the most to the resale value of your home. Upgrading means selecting quality above builder standard such as carpeting,ceramics, detailing, kitchen fixtures and appliances.

7. Negotiations.

Often buyers don’t realize that there may be room for negotiating price,upgrades or options. For example, you have some scope for negotiating with the builder if he/she has a completed home but hasn’t sold it. Also, some premium lots are priced higher and are sometimes saved to be sold last. Keep in mind that typically all lots cost the builder the same, so be sure to inquire about lot pricing. Builders may offer discounts or special financing to help close a sale.

8. Be sure the contract works in your favor!

When spelling out the particulars of an agreement with your builder, ensure you protect yourself y having safeguards written into the agreement, such as:

Placing your deposit in escrow; Detailing your upgrades; Allowing your access to the construction site to check on progress; A 30-day advance notice of the closing date; and An explanation of what the fine print means in the warranties of the builder and manufacturer.

9. Financing What’s best for you?

Some builders, especially in high-volume communities that place large numbers of loans, can offer special financing packages.However, because home loan lending is highly competitive, you have many financing choices other than those being offered by the builder. Ship around for everything,from rates to lender fees. Appraisals,inspections, survey’s attorneys and closing fees can vary as well.

10. Determine a Comfortable Price Range.

If you own a home, you’ll first need to know the net proceeds from its sale in order to determine how much cash you’ll have to work with. Don’t simply estimate this but carefully calculate every possible selling cost. If you’re a first time buyer, you’ll need to first qualify your income. Determine the size of your down payment, then work out a monthly debt load so you can determine a comfortable price range.

11. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

Yes, it’s new and typically it’s built with modern materials that are durable, low maintenance, stronger,quieter, and safer. But because nothing is perfect, even if it’s new, consider hiring a reputable, licensed home inspector. Then create a builder punch list from what you’ve learned to address any problems before closing. Consider budgeting from items to be modified or added later on. Many new home buyers use a real estate agent to help them negotiate the best price and terms with the builder.

Immediate Delivery

Buyer Advantages – Your Builder May Not Reveal!

Here’s a fact that you may not be aware of.

Some builders have newly-constructed homes available for immediate delivery. Usually these homes are ready to move into within 30 days. Even if some builders are eager to sell, they’ll probably keep that knowledge to themselves.

Immediate delivery homes are often available for various reasons:

The community where new homes are being constructed is nearly complete, so the builder proceeds to have the on-site contractors build spec homes (homes built on speculation for sale) on the last lots;

The model home is for sale;

The contract on a home has fallen through; and

Builders include constructing homes for immediate delivery for buyers who are relocating or have sold their previous home and need one to move into quickly. Immediate delivery homes may be more desirable because, sometimes builders offer financing incentives or free options.

This may be done in place of chopping prices to appeal to buyers purchasing later in the building phase. An immediate delivery home is an advantageous way to purchase a home if you need to move in quickly, or need a physically space to walk through and see before you sign a contract.

In all these steps you need to have your agent at your side so

Call Jafar (519-590-4110)to be with you in this long process.