CHOOSING YOUR REALTOR
Choosing a Realtor® who’s willing to help you throughout the process.
Understanding what you can afford
Enter into agency relationship
Sign Buyer Brokerage Agreement
Analyze your wants & needs with Kristin
Buyer's Resources
7 Steps to purchasing a home in Virginia
PREPARATION & PRE-APPROVAL
Review qualified lenders and obtain a pre-approval letter. The right lender can make or break your deal.
Don’t have a lender yet?
We recommend Scott Whittle of Presidential Mortgage ( NMLS #: 524531 ), if you’re looking for someone that cares for all their clients and has an outstanding professional experience, Give him a call.
TOUR HOMES
We’ll get to work together to make sure you have an amazing experience when purchasing a home. Once you determine your purchasing power, we’ll tour properties with you that match what you’re looking for. If you can’t attend a tour, we’ll go to the property and video record a personal tour of any of the properties you’d like to see.
Properties move quickly in Central Virginia. Our team of Buying Specialists are always available to show you any property you’d like to tour.
OFFER & NEGOTIATION
Yay!! We found your dream home!
We’ll research comparable properties
Decide key elements of your offer (price, deposit amount, dates & subject clauses)
Kristin will prepare and submit a strong offer to seller (Legal Contract of purchase)
Kristin Presents & Negotiates Your Offer
OFFER ACCEPTED!
You are Under Contract! Next step is to pay the EMD per contract guidelines
Due Diligence | Let’s make sure it’s right for you
Schedule & pay for home inspection
Schedule appraisal
Schedule survey
Negotiate repairs with the seller
Finish loan process
PRE-CLOSING & TITLE
Confirm repairs are complete
Select & consult a lawyer or title company to complete closing documents
Arrange for insurance on your new home
Make moving arrangements & setup utilities
We’ll do a pre-closing walkthrough with you
Sign Closing Disclosure
IT’S CLOSING DAY!
Congratulations on your new home!
Review closing statement
Review & Sign closing documents
Money & title are exchanged on your behalf
You get your keys & move in!
Welcome to the Kristin & Co. Family!
FAQ's
How much can I afford?
A mortgage lender will guide you through the pre-approved process, they’ll tell you what they’re willing to lend to you when buying a home. They’ll also get an understanding of your financial situation and will be able to recommend the best type of loan for you.
How much are you going to charge me?
We’ll never charge you or ask you for a commission, and will simply have the seller take care of that come closing time.
What's the first step I should take?
We ask our Buyers to first get pre-approved for a loan by a mortgage lender. This allows us to know exactly how much you’re able to afford which in turn will also give us leverage when it comes to negotiations. When I submit an offer and attach your pre-approval letter to the seller, they’ll know you’re a serious and motivated buyer. If you have any questions give me a call and I would love to answer any questions you might have.
How will you tell me about the newest homes available?
The Multiple Listing Service Website provides up -to-date information for every home on the market.We constantly check the New on Market list so we can be on the lookout for our clients. We’ll send you this information right away, the way that is most convenient for you: by phone and/or email.
What's the MLS?
An acronym for multiple listing service or multiple listing system, it’s a fundamental tool used by real estate professionals. The MLS contains the vast majority of all active listings on the market, and is the main tool Agent’s use when working with buyers and sellers.
Can you help me find new construction homes?
Yes! We can work with most builders and provide you the information you need to make a decision. On your first visit with the builder, I will accompany you. By using my services with a new construction home purchase, you will receive the services we offer, as well as those provided by the builder, at no cost to you.
Helpful Links & Resources
REALTOR.com First Time Home Buyer’s Guide >
Great tips & tools to help you find and finance your dream home.
County Median Home Values & Mortgage Payment >
Amazing map that helps you find out median home prices and mortgage payments in each county.
Provides an easy way to assess energy use, find great tips on saving energy and find energy-saving products.
Environmental Protection Agency >
Tips & info on testing for and mitigating pollutants, from lead paint to radon to mold.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a U.S. government agency that has great tools and resources for homebuyers.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development >
Information for buyers on finance, fair housing, and more.
Helps buyers and sellers with packing tips, places to store belongings so that homes look less cluttered and much more.
Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) >
Offers a free homebuyer’s kit with useful information and checklists like:
- Mortgage loan interview application checklist
- Special situations applications checklist
- Moving checklist
Virginia Public Schools Information >
Provides information about accreditation, student achievement, college and career readiness, program completion, school safety and other topics.