Are you contemplating buying a new home in Tamuning? Latte Stone Properties, LLC can help.

Purchasing a home intimidates most people, but it's not all that hard with a bit of up-front planning. So they know exactly what they can expect, I will supply buyers with an outline of the entire deal. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. Should you have any questions about any of this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are several things you need to take into account before starting your home search. When you start your search, you'll probably want to form a check list of items you want to have, get a feel for what school districts and neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning your budget. A good principle to adhere to is that your mortgage payment should be less than or around 30 percent of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. We'll book a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Tamuning area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that might affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also assist you in getting started on your loan. Latte Stone Properties, LLC works with some of the best mortgage professionals in Tamuning, so you're in great hands. They can assist you with determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin your search
Following our initial meeting, I'll start searching for available homes on the market that suit your needs. I'll preview most of the homes and reject the duds, and then we'll book appointments to tour the homes whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour the houses, I'll show you the good features and negative ones. And I'll ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. Most often, buyers revise their list of must-haves as we view houses and some features become far more crucial than others. If that's the situation, I'll look through the listings one more time and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
My knowledge of the Tamuning market is an essential element in your house search. I am conscious of all the neighborhoods and schools, and I'll alert you to some districts are "hot" and warrant prompt action and some that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the seller's list price has room for bargaining and when I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask plenty of questions. Every REALTOR in Tamuning will claim to understand the home market. If things don't add up, contact me at (671) 647-5577 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home of your dreams
We'll find your dream house in Tamuning, and when that happens, I'll meticulously create your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When submitting your purchase offer, you'll probably need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is typically put towards the cost of closing. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts aren't closed on the first offer – it's very common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this alarm you. We'll talk about whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
Upon completing the contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, this shouldn't take very long at all. However, you'll need to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll manage all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your loan application. The estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll study the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will probably take place at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and pleasant occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, be sure to call me at (671) 647-5577 or e-mail me at .