Are you purchasing your new home in Land O Lakes? JLS Investment Realty can help.

	If you have questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at jenniferstepanek@outlook.com.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Before you start searching for a home, there are several things you'll want to consider. When you start your search, you'll probably want to make an outline of items you need, get a feeling for what neighborhoods you want to live in, and start working on your budget. A good guideline to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be close to 1/3 of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Get with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. We can book a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, school districts in the Land O Lakes area, the mortgage industry, and any other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also help you get started on your loan. I partner with some of Land O Lakes's finest mortgage professionals, so you're in great hands. They can help you figure out which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking for a home
After our first meeting, I'll begin finding homes on the market that best suit you. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and remove the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses when it's convenient for you.

As we view the homes, I'll identify positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll even ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. As a rule, buyers amend their list of must-haves as we view homes and some features become more necessary than others. If that happens, I'll look through the listings another time and trim it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a feel for the housing market
Your agent's knowledge of the Land O Lakes market is an essential factor in your house search. And I can assure you I'm mindful of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will alert you to which districts are "hot" and warrant immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for careful consideration.

When we tour houses, I'll let you know when the list price has room for bargaining and also when I think the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask a lot of questions, as any real estate agent will claim to understand the home market. If things don't add up, contact me at 813.506.8212 or e-mail me at jenniferstepanek@outlook.com, and I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. My market knowledge will keep you a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I'm sure we'll find your dream home in the Land O Lakes area. When that happens, I'll thoroughly create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored exactly to your needs, including some contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

When we submit your purchase offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property, and it's often put towards the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
A lot of deals don't close on the initial offer. It's really common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this discourage you. We'll figure out whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

The state of the market will play a part in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get your loan
Once we sign the final contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. It won't take very long at all if you're already pre-approved, but you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of accepting your loan application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements require that it has to involve all closing costs and be within a narrow range of accuracy. I'll go over the estimate and let you know if everything looks good.

Then it's time to close on your house. This should occur at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and peaceful occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
You made it! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, just call me at 813.506.8212 or send me an e-mail.