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Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Initial Buyer Consultation

  • Assess wants and needs.
  • Review general market conditions.
  • Discuss budget and help obtain mortgage pre-approval.

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  • Review Representation: Go over fiduciary duties and applicable paperwork, including compensation options.
  • Understand Wants and Needs: Identify and discuss wants and needs for the buyer’s new home.
  • Financial Review: Provide names of mortgage advisors for pre-approval and assist with understanding budget considerations, including down payment and closing costs.
  • Market Education: Provide an overview of market conditions and how they impact the purchase process.
  • Strategy Development: Custom tailor a search strategy based on the buyer’s timeline, market conditions, and inventory.
  • Communication Plan: Establish preferred methods and frequency of communication to ensure the buyer is kept informed at every step.
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Step 2: Property Introductions

  • Research homes for sale.
  • View homes of interest.
  • Evaluate wants and needs in coordination with budget.

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  • Set the buyer up on appropriate search platform with customized criteria (RealScout/MLS).
  • Alert buyer to company inventory as soon as it’s known (including pre-MLS/office exclusive opportunities)
  • Schedule tours: Coordinate with sellers’ agents to visit properties that match the buyer’s criteria
  • Feature Assessments: Help assess the condition of homes and discuss potential benefits or challenges in relation to wants and needs.
  • Local Information: Supply requested data about the neighborhood, including schools, communities, amenities, local attractions.
  • Record Feedback: Identify and evaluate the buyer’s likes and dislikes to refine future searches.
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Step 3: Contracts & Negotiations

  • Prepare an offer based on comparative market research, personal budget, contingencies, if applicable, and any additional strategies.
  • Draft an offer to purchase in contract form.
  • Engage in negotiations in an attempt to reach mutually acceptable terms.
  • Upon agreement, execute the offer and forward to seller for attorney distribution.

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  • Offer Strategy: Provide guidance on creating an appropriate offer that attempts to create a ‘win-win’ scenario that appeals to the interests of the seller, while satisfying the interests of the buyer.
  • Document Preparation: Draft and review offer documents to best ensure accuracy and protection of buyer’s intentions.
  • Negotiation: Communicate with the listing agent to discuss price, conditions, and terms.
  • Contingency Planning: Discuss and include applicable contingencies like home inspections, appraisal, and financing, as appropriate.
  • Offer Submission: Submit the offer and manage any counter-offer scenarios in writing.

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home.

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Step 4: Under Contract

  • Inspections, inspections, inspections!
  • Financing and appraisal.
  • Facilitate additional miscellaneous contractual elements if/when applicable.

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  • Facilitate information gathering on items such as zoning, permits, title, etc.
  • Help arrange and attend home inspections.
  • Assist with inspection issues, logistics, and follow up; provide names of applicable vendors as needed.
  • Assist with negotiations for repairs or credits for issues that may arise.
  • Assist with transaction coordination to ensure compliance with various contract timelines and terms.
  • Provide comparable properties for mortgage appraisal, if necessary.
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Step 5: Getting to the Closing Table

  • Clear to close.
  • Final walk-through.
  • Transfer of utilities.

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  • Attend final walk-through: Facilitate ensuring the property’s condition is as agreed upon, including any post-inspection repairs or any new issues.
  • Closing Coordination: Liaise with the attorney, title company, lender, and listing agent.
  • Confirm that insurance has been obtained and utilities/other services are set to transfer upon closing.
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Step 6: Beyond the Transaction

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Continue to serve as a resource and trusted advisor beyond the scope of the transaction.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

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Work With Maura

With over 30 years of experience in the Princeton area, Maura Mills brings unmatched market insight, personalized service, and a proven track record of results. Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, Maura is here to guide you every step of the way.

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Contact Details

Maura Mills

Phone

609.947.5757

Email

[email protected]

Address

4 Nassau St Princeton, NJ 08542

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