These home buying tips are just the beginning. If you have other questions, just give us a call at 800-711-7988. Homefinders.com works hard to make home buying an adventure to be anticipated, not a chore to be dreaded.

Buying real estate any where is a complicated process. There are many potential pitfalls that can happen in connection with the search, financing, title work and more. HOMEFINDERS.COM is here to help you have a seamless and trouble free home search, home loan process, title search and settlement. We'll keep your anxiety level low and the home buying process as pleasant as possible. Who knows, perhaps we can even help you have a bit of fun. We'll make your home search in Waldorf just as pleasant as possible. The process below represents approximately 20-45 days.

STEP 1. FIND A GOOD AGENT TO HELP

That would be one of our experienced Waldorf Homefinders.com Buyer's Agents who will guide you through this adventure from search to settlement. If you have urgent needs, call us and speak with us. Or, if it is after house, leave a message at 800-711-7988. We'll return your message as soon as possible. The best way to get a quick response is by e-mail, E-MAIL or send us your needs. CONTACT US for a relocation package if you are a relocating home buyer. Real estate in Waldorf moves very quickly and we'll start your home search right away.

STEP 2. RELOCATION PACKAGE

Once we have made contact, we'll send a relocation package to you with: demographic information about Waldorf real estate areas that meet your needs; current real estate listings; maps, etc. Or, if you are ready to take a tour of homes right away, just go right to STEP 3 below. If you are arriving in Waldorf on short notice, please let us know as soon as possible. Our agents schedule their time and if you wait until you get to town to contact us, we probably will not be able to help. If you are a local Waldorf or Washington Metro area buyer, lot's go see some homes.

STEP 3. TAKE A TOUR OF HOMES

We'll show you homes in your price range and choice of locations in Waldorf. You determine the price range. You determine the area. We will show you the very best homes that meet your criteria in terms of bedrooms, baths, style, and any other features that meet your needs. Real estate tours in Waldorf can be fun and you'll learn a lot about the areas. We'll clear our schedule to make sure you have the time you need to (1) tour the area, (2) see homes until you find your home of choice, (3) learn the commuting alternatives from different communities to the job location(s).

STEP 4. PRE-QUALIFYING LETTER (Lender's letter)

We want you to obtain a mortgage with the very best terms and conditions possible. If you are ready to buy, you'll need a pre-qualifying letter from a lender stating that they have reviewed a credit report and you're ready and able to buy a real estate in your desired price range. It's always best to deal with a local lender, but if you come to town pre-approved, wonderful. Our Homefinders.com Buyer's Agent will follow the home loan process from start to finish.

STEP 5. PREPARE A CONTRACT OF SALE (2-4 days)

At this step, the Contract of Sale is considered an offer. You will state in the price, the terms and conditions that you are offering the seller to sell you the home. The contract states your offered price, settlement date, financing terms, home/radon/other inspections, state/county/local disclosures where required, seller disclosures, legal requirements, and much more. We'll explain all parts of the contract to you so you know exactly what's happening.

STEP 6. WE HAVE A CONTRACT, WHAT'S NEXT? (2-5 days)

We schedule the home inspection. These inspections will be a contingency on the contract, so they need to be done as quickly as possible, within a few days at most. Relocating real estate buyers can't always attend inspections, but we'll be your eyes and ears and attend the inspection. Then we'll OVERNIGHT or fax the home inspection report to you so you can see the report and contact the home inspector if you have any questions.

STEP 7: LOAN APPLICATION (one day credit approval, 2-3 week, firm loan approval)

If you have not already done so in preparation for buying, you'll need to make loan application. We can recommend good local lenders to you, or you can select your lender of choice. The lender will also prepare a Good Faith Estimate of closing costs so you'll know how much money you'll need to settle and what the costs represent. If you don't understand any part of this process, let us know and we'll explain every thing in language you will understand. This part of buying real estate can be a bit confusing for some buyers, but just ask us and we'll explain everything in terms you can understand.

STEP 8. BEHIND THE SCENES - ELVES AT WORK

Once we have the inspections done and assuming the house is sound, we'll schedule the title work with the settlement office. We'll also arrange for the termite inspection. We'll schedule the settlement at a time convenient for you and the seller. The title office will arrange for a title search to make sure there are no liens or encumbrances on the property. The seller can only transfer a clean title. If there is a problem, the title company will notice us immediately. The title company will also arrange for a survey of the property to prepare a drawing of the boundaries with the house situated on the lot. This will be valuable in knowing your boundaries and putting up fencing. The Contract of Sale gives a seller 14 days to cure a defective title. This is a rare occurrence. But, we'll be there to explain any unusual situation.

INSURANCE

You'll need to order hazard insurance, or homeowners insurance a few days prior to settlement. The lender will require it and you want a policy to protect you from loss by fire, theft, liability claims. We can recommend local agents to you or you can use the company that insures your automobile. If at the last minute you forget, you cannot settle without this policy in place. The lender WILL NOT lend you money without this insurance in place. You can insure with any company of your choice. However, if you forget, we'll contact an agent with whom we work and put the insurance on in order to cover you. Since you can't settle without insurance, this is a critical task.

STEP 9. GETTING READY TO SETTLE . . . . ALMOST HOME

The steps above will generally take from 20 to 40 days depending on your need to take occupancy and the seller's need to move. These dates are firm in the contract. We always work toward a firm and pre-determined settlement date in this area. By now, your loan is approved and we're just waiting for the day you take possession.

SETTLEMENT FUNDS

A day or so before settlement, you'll need to get a Cashiers Check for your settlement. The title company cannot disburse the proceeds of your loan and record your title without complete payment and it must be in certified funds. You do not need the exact amount to the penny. If there is a small amount due, you can write a personal check. If you Cashiers Check is more than needed, the title company will give you a refund check for the difference. Personal checks should not be for more than $100. Your lender will give you the amount for the Cashier's Check the day before settlement.

WALK-THROUGH INSPECTION

The morning of or up to five days before settlement, we will arrange a walk-through inspection of your the home to make sure everything mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc. is in working condition. This gives you an opportunity to examine any repairs made by the sellers pursuant to the home inspection. Termite treatments, if any, will have been done at the seller's expense. If the sellers have damaged any part of the house moving out, these items will be noted and the seller can compensate you at settlement. Our contracts require a "broom clean and free of debris" property to be left by the seller. We'll be with you to make sure everything is in the condition when you purchased the home. If you can't be here for the walk-through inspection, we'll do it for you. We'll do everything except pay for your home.

STEP 10. GIVE ME MY KEYS ! ! !

You and the sellers will meet at the title office. We'll be there with you to make sure the settlement document sare correct. Most of the documents will be Fannie Mae standard documents. The document we examine most closely is the Settlement Sheet or HUD-1. This document will reconcile debits and credits for you and the seller.

CONGRATULATIONS ! ! YOU ARE A HOME OWNER.

Homes for Sale in Waldorf MD
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