1. Consult with Kline & Co agents Heather White or Jessica Shirley

2. If you have not already arranged for a lender already, an appointment will be scheduled with a lender where you will discuss loan programs that are best suited to your needs and obtain pre-approval.

3. Develop a list of wants and needs with your agent and then begin your home selection process.

4. Choose a home and let your agent begin the negotiation process on your behalf.

5. Great News! Your offer has been accepted! Your agent will track the process of your loan and make sure all contract details and/or contingencies are met on time.

6. Your agent will attend any inspections with you and discuss the results.

7. Your agent will call with the time and place of closing, You will also receive information regarding any money due at signing. Your agent will be with you at closing to assist you with any last minute concerns.

8. Congratulations on your new home!

COMMUNICATION IS VERY IMPORTANT

Each buyer should discuss the offer and negotiation process with thier agent during the initial counseling process and before any offer is presented. This will ensure that the Buyer understands the process, the possibility of competing offers, and what the Sellers options are.

BROKER ADVISES AND BUYER DECIDES

All decisions about how offers will be presented, negotiated and ultimately accepted are made by the Buyer and/or Seller, NOT the agent. The agent will communicate the offer, advise and keep their respective client informed of all activities. They will NOT make decisions for the Buyer.

OFFERS IN WRITING

All offers and counter offers should be in writing to ensure the terms, time frames and legal obligations of all the parties are clearly understood and communicated without misunderstanding. All changes to offers must be signed and dated.

ASSESSED VALUE

The tax assessor wants to create a value of equality among the town or city's citizens in order to fairly assess taxes and share the tax burden in an equitable manner amoungst all property owners. Towns periodically undertake re-evaluations to update their assessed market valuations for all property. While based upon historical sales data, it does not always represent current market data. It is a useful tool in comparing the values of similar properties.

APPRAISED VALUE

Appraisers must protect the interest of the lender and therefore must be more conservative in the value they place on a property. The appraised value is more typically based upon historic sales data and may or may not agree with market value.

MARKET VALUE

Market value is what ready, able and willing buyer pays to a ready, able and willing Seller in a transaction with no undue influences. It is a negotiated value which changes relative to market conditions, supply of homes, demand and seasonally in some cases. Market value is created by the Buyer and Seller. Too often, Buyers and Sellers have a notion some other factor determines market value, when in reality, those two parties determine market value. 

Home inspections are highle recommended by Kline & Co Real Estate for all property purchases, including new construction. A qualified home inspector should be contracted by the Buyer to protect the Buyer's best interests. It is most important for Buyers to attend the home inspection to learn first hand from the home inspector.

Depending upon applicable state regulations the inspection may cover such items as foundation, roof, structural components, wiring, plumbing, heating, cooling, and chimneys. There are specialty inspections for wastewater disposal, well water, hazardous materials (such as radon),and others.

The purpose of the report is to get an independent third party professional analysis of the integrity, maintenence required, and overall condition of the property. Houses are imperfect, at best, therefore we caution buyers not to overreact to a home inspection report. At the same time, Buyers need to fully comprehend the financial impact of the report and their ability to work with the issues that may be identified.

A common Buyer misconception regarding home inspections is the Seller requirements to repair all noted items in an inspection report. This is strictly optional to a Seller, and generally considered negotiable items between Buyer and Seller.