There are multiple stages to Buying Real Estate. Each one very important and necessary to make sure the sale is smooth and successful for all parties involved.

a. Contact a Real Estate Buyer Agent. Alex has access to ALL Listed Homes For Sale in Sarasota or Manatee Counties and can help Buyers determine if they are capable of Buying a Home in today's market. Alex can also guide the Buyer to Financing options that may be necessary to complete the Purchase, if needed.

b. Contact Lender to Get Pre-Approved. Alex will give you references depending on the type of financing or assistance you need. Buyers who are self-employed, need down-payment assistance, or who have lower credit scores may need specialized lenders who work with Buyers who have specific needs. Lenders ARE NOT created equal.

c. Home Search. Buyers have access to 3rd Party real estate websites, but if a Buyer is looking for a specific neighborhood type or home characteristics (e.g. 55+ Community, non-Deed Restricted, Waterview, Gated, Fenced Yard, Specific Flooring, Updated features, etc.) you will want to work closely with Alex who can guide you to those types of Communities and Homes around the area you want to live. 

d. Preview Homes in Person. Alex has access to all Homes that are listed in the MLS, New Construction and For Sale by Owners. 

e. Write Offer. You will want to work closely with Alex to determine Market Value of the listed home. Alex can then go over ALL terms within the Purchase Agreement including the Offer Price, Earnest Money Deposit amount, Timeframes, Financing terms, Inspection Terms, Closing Terms, and any other Contingencies necessary to protect YOUR interests. (The seller's agent cannot ethically help you and work against their Seller at the same time.)

f. Negotiate Counteroffer. Unless you offer full price and pay all closing costs, the Seller is most likely going to Counter your offer on price or other terms within the contract. As a skilled negotiator Alex will walk you through this process and help you get the BEST DEAL POSSIBLE!

g. Inspection Period. This is an important aspect of the Purchase Agreement and the overall transaction. Depending on which Purchase Agreement you use, you will either have a right to cancel for any reason in this period without losing deposit or you won't. Working closely with Alex, who will walk you through your options, is imperative. If undisclosed repairs are found Alex will negotiate on your behalf to get those repairs fixed before closing or come to another agreed upon arrangement. 

h. Due Diligence Period. Once you move past the Inspection Period you enter the remaining timeframe to finalize financing requirements (if necessary), order the appraisal and secure title insurance for the property. We work together with your Lender to get them all the required documents they need in a timely manner so you can receive Loan Approval within the Contract Deadline. During this time your Title Agent will also confirm the property has clear title by performing a title search, a lien search and order a survey to confirm there are no encumbrances or encroachments on the property itself. If something does come up, we have a timeframe built into the contract to have the seller clear those items prior to closing.   

i. Final Document Review. The Title Policy, Settlement Statement, Loan Documents should all be available to you no later than 3 days prior to  the Closing Date. The Title Policy protects your and the Lender against any claims on the Title to the property after the Closing. The Settlement Statement outlines all of the financial figures involved in the transaction including the purchase price, closing costs, credits and the final amount the Buyer will need to bring to the closing table to complete the transaction. 

j. Final Walkthrough. This is typically the day before or the morning of the Closing Day. This is the final inspection for the Buyer to go through the home to confirm the Seller has moved out and is leaving the home in the same condition it was in when they made their offer. If any repairs were negotiated to be completed by Closing Day the Buyer will also confirm the repairs have been made.

k. Closing Day. Today is the day the house officially becomes your home. You wire the remaining funds that are due to close the day before, then head to the Closers office to sign all of the paperwork. If you are getting a mortgage the signing will take anywhere between 45 - 60 minutes. If you are not getting a mortgage the signing usually only takes around 10-15 minutes. After all parties have signed paperwork and all funds have been accounted for, the transaction is officially Closed. The Seller will get their proceeds and the Buyer will get the keys to the home. The Closing Agent will then file the Deed with the Cler of the Court to make the transfer official.