The Home Buying Process                                          

The first step in finding your next property is to begin planning. This is truly a team effort with your Realtor® and you. In conducting a needs assessment in which you establish and clarify your intents and desires, you should begin to solidify these thoughts into a true plan of action and start on the road of ownership.

Once you have a solid plan, be sure to talk to a lender if you aren't planning on paying cash, and get a head start on finding the best rate and lowest payment. Once you find a home you like and write a contract, there is typically only a 5-10 day option window to search for your lender.

If at any point of the home-buying process you feel that you aren't being heard, be honest with your Realtor® and redefine your plans and goals. Sometimes you may think that you would like a house in a certain area, only to find that you prefer condos in another neighborhood. In a decision this big, it is common to redefine your goals in midstream. Be sure to communicate with your Realtor® for maximum effectiveness.

My Goal is to help you find the property you want in the least amount of time, with as little stress as possible and negotiate the best price for you.

Once you have a grasp on what you want, the next step is to start looking.  The market in the San Antonio tends to move so quickly that you must have a Realtor willing to go the extra step and have your needs at the forefront.

He can also set up a program designed for you so that when a property that meets your criteria becomes available, you know immediately via email. If you are out of town, Josh can preview homes for you and email you pictures. 

What to expect: If you find a home you like, be sure to review the comparable sales in the area. Be ready to write a check for earnest money  to accompany the contract. Set aside at least an hour and a half to put together the contract so that you will have time to get familiar with the contract, understand the process and ask any questions you want. Once the contract is completed, he will submit it to the cooperating Realtor®. Once the contract is submitted, there is a period of time which you had specified in the contract, for the seller to review the documents and decide what action they would like to take. Sometimes there may be a counteroffer or questions the seller will have for you. Once you have an offer that both you and the seller are comfortable with, you open escrow and move on to the “Option Period”.

This is a crucial part of the home buying process. When a loan goes through with no surprises, the home buying experience is a very pleasant one. It is great when deadlines are met, paperwork is correct, and appraisals accurate. When you are buying a home, the last thing you want to do is get lost in the maze of unfulfilled promises.

In Texas , the seller has the right to choose the Title Company. The title company is in charge of making sure that the seller can convey the deed without any problems. The title company is also a neutral party that has no vested interest in any party, real estate company or attorney. They simply help facilitate the legal aspect of transferring ownership and make sure the contract is followed. The Title Company holds the earnest money in a neutral account, disburses funds, collects invoices, works with the lenders, principles in the contract, as well as the Realtors® and coordinates the timing of processes.

After the contract is signed and delivered to all parties, the behind the scenes work begins. This work is crucial to making sure the property you are buying is one that you will be satisfied with. During the inspection period, which ranges from 10 days to however long the parties agree upon, the buyer is responsible for getting any inspections done that need to be completed.

At Closing you will sit down and sign many documents, which basically transfers title to you and upon funding you get your home.