Buying or selling a home? Metro Properties can help.

Purchasing a home can be stressful for many people, but it isn't too complex with some planning ahead of time. So they'll know exactly what to expect, I'll furnish buyers with a road map of the entire deal. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy
There are a lot of things you'll want to take into account prior to starting your home search. When you begin your search, you'll probably want to put together an index of must-have features, get a plan of what school districts you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. A good principle to go by is that your mortgage payment should be less than 1/3 of your net monthly income.

Step 2 – Speak with a real estate agent
This is where I can help. I'd be more than happy to set up a time to meet with you and speak with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, school districts in the Naples area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that could affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I can also help you begin the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Naples, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They will assist you in determining which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start your search
After our initial meeting, I'll start looking for available homes on the market that are good for you. I'll preview most of the houses and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the homes at a time that's convenient for you.

As we view homes, I'll identify positive features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers change their must-have list as we view houses and some items become far more substantial than others. If that's the situation, I'll look through the listings another time and narrow it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
My awareness of the Naples market is an imperative element in your house search. I'm acquainted with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll alert you to some areas are "hot" and call for immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for more consideration.

When we view houses, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for bargaining and also when I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as any real estate agent in Naples will claim to comprehend the home market. If things don't add up, just call me at 866-300-1550 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. My market expertise will keep you a step ahead throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
We'll find the home of your dreams in Naples, and when we do, I'll precisely develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including some contingencies, such as getting financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clean title.

When turning in your offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is most often applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most deals aren't closed on the initial offer – it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll talk about whether or not to agree to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market determines how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll formulate a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain your loan
Once the contract is complete, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, it shouldn't take long at all, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll handle all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will give you a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs within three days of accepting your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your application. This estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks adequate.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will probably be a smooth and relaxing event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, make sure you contact me at 866-300-1550 or e-mail me at .