BUYING A NEW
“THEY HELPED US BUY OUR FIRSTHOUSE AND MADE IT EASY FORUS FIRST TIME BUYERS TOUNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM. IT ISGOOD TO KNOW THERE’S STILLGOOD PEOPLE OUT THERETRYING TO HELP ALL THE PEOPLETHANK YOU.”P. FRANKY
WELCOMEThank you for choosing to put your trust in me for theprocess of buying and/or selling your home. Everymember of my team is committed to ensuring that ALL ofyour real estate needs are not just met, but exceeded! I’vecreated this book for your convenience and we hope thatit will be a valuable resource. While the entire process isoutlined for you here, please know that I will be staying inconstant contact with you throughout the process. Yourexperience will be unique and I will adjust our serviceaccording to your wants and needs. My focus is on yourcomplete satisfaction.I am excited to guide you throughthis journey!Jennifer RodgersReal Estate Broker/OwnerGREEN KEY REAL ESTATE, LLC517-398-2541jenniferrodgers@greenkeysellsmi.comwww.greenkeysellsmi.com
Shannon Prain is a Associate Broker that has grownup in Jackson County and graduated fromNorthwest High School. For the last 3 years she hasworked as a Realtor helping clients find a newhome. With all of her experience using themarketing tools of today she will successfully helpyou BUY or SELL your home. Shannon is a member ofJackson Area Association of Realtors, MichiganArea Association of Realtors, National AreaAssociation of Realtors . MEET THE TEAMWith ownership of several homes, Caleb Riddleunderstands the excitement that comes withpurchasing a new home and embarking on thejourney of creating lasting memories. His primarygoal is to ensure a seamless and enjoyableexperience throughout the process, ultimatelyplacing the keys to a new home in the hands of hisclients. Whether one is looking to sell their currentproperty or navigate the intricacies of real estatetransactions, he stands ready to assist with allaspects of the real estate journey.ShannonCaleb
Born and raised in lower Michigan, Jordan Cullivergraduated from Vandercook Lake and completedhis education at the Michigan Institute of RealEstate in 2018. Joining Green Key Real Estate twoyears ago, he has found joy in every moment oftheir real estate journey. He takes pleasure inassisting clients with their real estate needs,whether it's helping them find a property topurchase or guiding them through the process ofselling their home. In his free time, he cherishmoments spent with friends and family, and mostimportantly, with his beloved cat Cornelius.Meet Brittany Arnold, a devoted real estate agentwith Green Key Real Estate. Brittany is committed toassisting clients in achieving their real estateobjectives, treating them with the utmost care as ifthey were family. With a wealth of experience andexpertise, Brittany has effectively guided numerousclients through the process of buying or selling theirhomes. Known for her knowledge, reliability, andwillingness to go the extra mile, Brittany takes pride inensuring that her clients are content with their realestate journey.JordanBrittany
MY COMMITMENT TO YOUWe will narrow down the homes that fit your unique wants andneeds get you in the door! Looking at dozens of homes everyweek, I can help you identify potential problems within a home. 01G E T T I N G Y O U I N TH E D O O RWhen repairs or changes in price need to made, I will beyour guide and handle requesting any repairs or changes inprice to the sellers.02H A N D L I N G C H A L L E N G I N GC O N V E R S A T I O N SBuying a home involves many types of documentation. I havethe experience and knowledge to navigate real estatecontracts. Ensuring that nothing is overlooked and that you trulyunderstand what a paper means before ever signing.03S T A Y I N G O N T O P O F T H EP A P E R W O R KWorking daily in neighborhoods with inspectors,contractors, and negotiating with sellers, I have themarket knowledge you need to get the best results fromyour purchase. Understanding the local real estatemarket can go a long way when it comes time to makean offer on a house.04N E I G H B O R H O O D E X PE R TI will work hard to protect all of your interests and takeon any issues that may arise throughout the entireprocess. Hopefully making buying a home a fun andstress-free process.05P R O B L E M S O L V E R
DECIDE WHETHER YOU’RE READY TO BUY A HOMECALCULATE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD ON A HOUSESAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTSDECIDE WHAT TYPE OF MORTGAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOUGET PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGES T AGE 1 - P R E P WO R KS T AGE 2 - T H E SEA R C HCREATE A WISH LISTDOCUMENTING YOUR VISITSTART TOURING HOMESMAKE AN OFFERFINALIZE MORTGAGEGET HOMEOWNERS INSURANCEATTEND THE HOME INSPECTIONHAVE THE HOME APPRAISEDNEGOTIATE ANY REPAIRS OR CREDITSCLOSE ON YOUR NEW HOME!S T AGE 3 - U N D ER C O N T R A C T & C L O S I N GSTEPS TO BUYING A NEW HOME
STAGE ONES T A G E O N E : P R E P W O R K
Sure, there's being financially ready to buy ahouse, but are you emotionally ready? Evenif it's just going to be your starter home,you're making a big financial commitmentand putting down some roots.You'll want to think about your other goalsfor the next few years. Are you buying with apartner, and if yes, are you on the samepage when it comes to money? Is there anychance you'd need to relocate for work? Areyou thinking of starting a family?These big-picture questions can add to thepros (or cons) of whether this is the righttime to buy a house.Preparing your income is all about pullingthe right documentation together to showsteady employment. If you’re on thepayroll, you’ll likely just need to providerecent pay stubs and W-2s. On the otherhand, you’ll need to submit your taxreturns and other documents the lenderrequests if you’re self-employed.Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is anotherfinancial instrument mortgage lendersuse to evaluate your loan application.Your DTI helps your lender see how muchof your monthly income goes to debt sothey can evaluate the amount ofmortgage debt you can take on.DTI is calculated by dividing your monthlydebt by your gross monthly income. Forexample, if your monthly debts (creditcard minimum payments, loan payments,etc.) total $2,000 per month and yourgross monthly income is $6,000, your DTI is$2,000/$6,000, or 33%. Your lender will usethe debts shown on your credit report tocalculate your DTI.Depending on the type of loan you’reapplying for, your lender may alsocalculate your housing expense ratio, alsosometimes referred to as front-end DTI.This is a ratio that looks at your totalmonthly house payment (principal,interest, taxes and insurance) comparedto your monthly income. For example, ifyou have a $1,200 house payment and thesame $6,000 monthly income, yourhousing expense ratio is $1,200/$6,000, or20%.It’s smart to review your DTI before youapply for a loan. In most cases, you’ll needa back-end DTI of 43% or less to qualify forthe most mortgage options, although thisnumber varies based on your lender, loantype and other factors.WONDERING IF YOUSHOULD BUY A HOUSE?LET’S LOOK AT SOME OFTHE FACTORS THATLENDERS ANDHOMEOWNERS ALIKESHOULD CONSIDER.DECIDE WHETHER YOU’RE READY TO BUY A HOMEIncome And Employment StatusYour lender won’t just want to see how muchmoney you make. They’ll also want to see awork history (usually about 2 years) to makesure your income source is stable andreliable.
Credit HealthYour credit score plays a huge role inwhat loans and interest rates you qualifyfor. Your credit score tells lenders howmuch of a risk you are to grant a loan.Taking steps to improve your creditscore and reduce your debt can pay offbig as you prepare to get a mortgage.Better numbers mean better loanoptions with lower interest rates.Your credit score is based on thefollowing information:Your payment historyThe amount of money you oweThe length of your credit historyTypes of credit you’ve usedYour pursuit of new creditWhat score will you need to qualify for ahome loan? Most lenders require acredit score of at least 620 to qualify forthe majority of loans. A score above 720will generally get you the very best loanterms.TimingDeciding whether it’s a good time to buya house or not depends on a variety ofpersonal factors (such as financialreadiness and lifestyle preferences) andmarket conditions (such as economichealth and current mortgage rates).Ultimately, the right time to buy a homecomes down to your own uniquesituation. Be sure to consult a financialexpert before making any big financialdecisions such as buying a house.
Once you decide you’re ready to buy ahome, it’s time to set a budget. A good placeto begin is by calculating your DTI ratio. Lookat your current debts and income andconsider how much money you canreasonably afford to spend each month ona mortgage.Homeownership comes with several costsyou don’t need to worry about while renting.You’ll need to pay property taxes andmaintain some form of homeownersinsurance. Factor these expenses into yourhousehold budget when you decide howmuch you can afford on a house.Mortgage lenders consider DTI an importantqualifying factor. The amount of debt youhave is considered a very reliable predictorof the risk associated with the approval ofany mortgage loan. Therefore, it’s importantto know your numbers.You don’t need to add in:Grocery billsUtility billsTaxesAny other bills that may vary month tomonthStep 2: Divide Your Monthly Debts By YourMonthly Gross IncomeNext, do a simple calculation. For example,let’s say your debts add up to $2,000 permonth. If your monthly gross income (yourbefore-tax income) is $6,000 per month,then your DTI ratio is 0.33, or 33%.LET’S LOOK AT HOW DTIIS CALCULATED.CALCULATE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORDStep 1: Add Up All Of Your Monthly DebtsYour debt payments could include:Monthly rent or house paymentsMonthly child support payments oralimonyStudent loan paymentsCar paymentsMonthly credit card minimumpaymentsAny other debts you might have
There are many ways to save for your homepurchase, including through investmentsand savings accounts. If you have relativeswho are willing to contribute money, youmay be able to use gift money toward yourdown payment (in which case, be sure toprovide your lender with a gift letter).But how much do you need to save beforebuying a home? Let’s look at some of themajor expenses related to the purchase,and how much you might want to save forthem.There are advantages, however, to making alarger down payment. For one, it typicallymeans you’ll have more mortgage options.It also usually means you’ll have a smallermonthly payment and a lower interest rate.Plus, if you put at least 20% down on aconventional loan, you won’t need to pay forprivate mortgage insurance (PMI).SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENTAND CLOSING COSTSDown PaymentYour down payment is a large, one-timepayment toward the purchase of a home.Many lenders require a down paymentbecause it mitigates the loss they mightsuffer in the event that a borrower defaultson their mortgage.Many home buyers believe that they need a20% down payment to buy a home. This isn’ttrue. Plus, a down payment of that size isn’trealistic for many first-time home buyers.Fortunately, there are many options forbuyers who can’t afford a 20% downpayment. For example, you can get aconventional loan for as little as 3% down.Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loanshave a minimum down payment of 3.5%.Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loansand United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) loans even allow eligible andqualified borrowers to put 0% down.Closing CostsYou’ll also need to save money to coverclosing costs – the fees you pay to get theloan. There are many variables that go intodetermining how much you’ll pay for closingcosts, but it’s usually smart to prepare for 3 –6% of the home value. This means that ifyou’re buying a home worth $200,000, youmight pay $6,000 – $12,000 in closing costs.The specific closing costs will depend onyour loan type, your lender, and where youlive. Almost all homeowners will pay forthings like appraisal fees and title insurance.If you take out a government-backed loan,you’ll typically need to pay an insurancepremium or funding fee upfront.important!Before you close on your loan, your lenderwill give you a document called a ClosingDisclosure, which lists each of the closingcosts you need to cover and how muchyou’ll need to pay at closing. Look over yourClosing Disclosure carefully before you closeto know what to expect and to catch anyerrors.
Conventional LoansConventional loans are mortgagesmade by a private lender and notbacked by the government. The mostcommon type of conventional loansare loans that are backed by FannieMae or Freddie Mac, sometimes calledconforming loans. The majority ofmortgages in the U.S. are conventionalloans. Conventional loans are always apopular option for home buyers, andyou can get one with as little as 3%down.Backed by the Federal HousingAdministration, FHA loans are less ofa risk for lenders because thegovernment insures them if youstop making payments. As a result,FHA loans have credit scorerequirements that aren’t as strict.You can get an FHA loan with adown payment as small as 3.5%.Backed by the Federal HousingAdministration, FHA loans are less of arisk for lenders because thegovernment insures them if you stopmaking payments. As a result, FHAloans have credit score requirementsthat aren’t as strict. You can get an FHAloan with a down payment as small as3.5%.FHA LoansVA LoansDECIDE WHAT TYPE OF MORTGAGEIS RIGHT FOR YOUBefore you can apply for a mortgage,you’ll need to decide what the besttype of loan is for you and which oneyou’ll qualify for.
Working with a lender to getpreapproved for a mortgage is animportant step in accuratelydetermining your budget. Amortgage preapproval will give youreal numbers since the lender willhave detailed info about yourfinances. That includes a hardinquiry, which will show up on yourcredit report. The good news: If youapply with multiple lenders aroundthe same time, it'll only count as onehard pull.GET PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGEWhen you’re ready to start househunting, it’s time to get preapprovedfor a mortgage. When you apply, yourlender will give you a preapprovalletter that states how much you’reapproved for based on your credit,assets, and income. You can show yourpreapproval letter to your real estateagent so they can help you find homeswithin your budget.To get preapproved, you need to applywith your lender. The preapprovalprocess typically involves answeringsome questions about your income,your assets, and the home you want tobuy. Pre-approvals are a dress rehearsal foryour mortgage and are necessary tomake a serious offer on a home. Theytypically expire after 90 days and canbe refreshed if you don’t find the homeyou’re looking for in that time. Know that pre-approvals don’tguarantee your mortgage approval orinterest rate. After you’re pre-approved, avoid opening new creditlines or making large debt paymentsthat can impact your FICO score.
“JEN WAS FANTASTIC AND SOPERSONABLE THROUGH THISEXPERIENCE. AS FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS SHE MADE IT EASY ANDIN THE END WE ONLY HAD TOPUT IN 1 OFFER ON A HOUSEAND IT'S THE PERFECT HOUSE!COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH THESERVICE AND GUIDANCETHROUGHOUT OUR JOURNEY”Q. PHILLIPS
STAGE TWOS T A G E T W O : T H E S E A R C H
YOURWISHLIST
CREATE A WISH LISTMake a list of the things you'll need to have in the house. Askyourself how many bedrooms and bathrooms you'll need and getan idea of how much space you desire. How big do you want thekitchen to be? Do you need lots of closets and cabinet space? Doyou need a big yard for your kids and/or pets to play in?Once you've made a list of your must-haves, don't forget to thinkabout the kind of neighborhood you want, the types of schools inthe area, the length of your commute to and from work, and theconvenience of local shopping. Take into account your safetyconcerns as well as how good the rate of home appreciation is inthe area.TIPsWe will make sure to check out the little details of each house•Test the plumbing•Try the electrical system•Open and close the windows & doors to make sure they workproperlyEvaluate the neighborhood and surrounding areas. •Are the surrounding homes well maintained? •How much traffic is on the street? •Is it conveniently located to schools, shopping, restaurants, &parks?
What price range would you consider? No less than $______ but no more than $______Are schools a factor and, if so, what do you need to take intoconsideration (e.g., want specific school system, want kids to beable to walk to school, etc.)? Do you want an older home or a newer home (less than 5 yearsold)? ___yes ___no How much renovation would you be willing to do? ___A lot ___A little ___None! What kind of houses would you be willing to see? ___One story ___2 story ___split level ___bi-level ___townhouse ___condo ___New construction ___RanchWhat style house appeals to you most? ___contemporary ___traditional ____tudor ____colonial ____modern ____no preference Do you have any physical needs that must be met, such aswheelchair access? ___yes ___no THE BASICS
How many bedrooms must you have? ____ would you like to have? ____How many bathrooms do you want? ____How big would you like your house to be (square feet)? No less than ____ But no more than ____What features do you want to have in your house?CarpetCeramic tileHardwood floorsEat-in kitchenSeparate dining roomFormal living roomFamily roomBasementSeparate laundry roomFireplaceMaster on the main____________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ____________ NEED WANTTHE INTERIOR
Large yard (1 acre or more) Small yard (less than 1 acre) Fenced yard 1 Car Garage 2 Car Garage3 Car Garage4+ Car GarageExtra parkingPatio/deckPool Outdoor spa Outdoor KitchenOther buildings Special view Of what?____________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ NEED WANTTHE LOT
When it’s time to take your home tour, check the features against thechecklist you made. Do you need to re-evaluate any of your must-haves?Get a feel for the home and consider anything you may have left off ofyour list. Remember, paint can be replaced and staged furniture willchange, but there are aspects that can’t change so easily:e market longer than average is this: THE MOST COMMONLY MISSED STEP...Documenting your visitWIs there enough space or too much space?Where could you use more space?How would you describe the layout?Do you like the fixtures and finishes?Are you happy with the windows (enough natural light, well-placed,too sunny)?Does the home have curb appeal?Does the home have adequate parking?
START TOURING HOMES
Address: Date Viewed: Time of day:Home Score: locationThe home is in our desiredneighborhood and/or areaThe home is in our desired schooldistrictWe like the parks and recreationaloptions close byThe home is within our determinedwork radius.Interior Details The home has the number ofbedrooms we want/needThe home has the number ofbathrooms we want/needThe home is as updated as we wantThe home has the square feet wewant/needexterior DetailsThe exterior is in good condition & isas updated as we want/needWe like the look and design of theexterior of the homeWe like the landscape and it is whatwe want/need.The backyard will work for us and iswhat we want/need12345678910Make copies of this to use at each home you tour.
JENNIFER HAS BEEN SO AMAZINGTHROUGH THE HOME BUYINGPROCESS. AS A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER I WAS A BIT NERVOUSGOING IN BUT JENNIFER TOOK THETIME TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TOME AND MADE IT SO MUCH LESSSTRESSFUL. I WOULD RECOMMENDHER TO ANYONE LOOKING TOBUY OR SELL!A. MAYNARD
STAGE THREES T A G E T H R E E : U N D E R C O N T R A C T &C L O S I N G
YOU'VEFOUND "THE ONE"NOW IT IS TIME TO MAKE AN OFFER
Before you make an offer on a houseThere are three key elements that you'llwant to have in place before you makean offer on a house.The first is a mortgage preapprovalfrom at least one lender. Ideally, youshould get preapproved before youstart looking at houses. It can be time-consuming to pull together all therequired documents, but mostimportantly, a preapproval lets youknow how much house you can afford.Having a preapproval in hand also letsthe seller know that you're serious andprovides reassurance that the deal willclose. That can be extra helpful in ascenario where the seller is in a hurryto move.Second, know your market to ensureyou're making a competitive offer. Thiscan be based on comparable sales,other market information from yourown research, or a comparativemarket analysis provided by your realestate agent. You'll probably want tomake an offer that's for slightly lessthan your preapproval amount, whichleaves room to negotiate.Last, verify that the down paymentrequired by your lender is in thebank and ready to go. Simply havingearmarked certain assets as thefunds to buy a home (including themoney required for the earnestdeposit, down payment, closingcosts, etc.) is not enough to ensure asmooth transaction. Having directand immediate access to the cashis essential.WRITING AN OFFER
What is included in anoffer:A written offer may contain these elements,among others:Address: The home's legal address, andsometimes the legal propertydescription.Price: Details regarding the purchaseprice and terms.Earnest money: The amount and termsregarding the earnest money, includingits disposition upon the acceptance ofthe offer.Title: A stipulation that the seller willprovide clear title to the property.Closing costs: Details regarding whichparty will pay closing costs or other fees,as well as how certain taxes andexpenses will be prorated between thebuyer and the seller at closing. (Somelenders may cap the amount of sellerparticipation in these expenses.)The date and time of the offer’sexpiration: In hot markets, this can bemere hours, but in most cases, it’s one ortwo days.A projected loan closing date: This istypically 30 to 60 days, though how longyour lender's underwriting process takescan be the deciding factor here.Contingencies: Any contingencies thatthe deal is subject to (more on these inthe next section).Disclosures: Other state-requiredprovisions or disclosures.Common contingencies:Your written offer will likely include a least acouple of standard contingencies. These arethings that need to happen before the salecan move forward. Common contingenciesinclude:Final loan approval: In other words, youget the mortgage, often within aspecified amount of time.Home inspection: In addition to requiringthat the property undergo a homeinspection, this contingency may alsospecify how issues revealed during theinspection will be addressed (forexample, if the seller will repair or providea credit at closing), or if the inspection isfor informational purposes only.Appraisal: Lenders generally insist onverification of the home's value via anappraisal, as they don't want to lend youmore than the property is worth.Home sale: This is a less commoncontingency that means the purchaserelies on the completion of another,separate transaction. This is usuallyeither the sale of your current home orthe seller finding a new home.Although you have to protect your interestsand gather enough information to make awise purchase, contingencies may act asroadblocks to getting a deal done —especially in hot markets. It’s best for boththe buyer and the seller to put only enoughstipulations in the contract to cover thenecessary bases; no more.
BUYER'S AGENT SELLER'S AGENTWrite Initial Offer andsubmit to Seller's AgentInitial Offer is reviewed,seller can either:Congrats you're undercontractCounter Offer is reviewed,buyer can either:Accept the offerDecline the offer &Counter with new termsorTHE OFFER PROCESSRepeatYou can negotiate back and forth as many times as needed untilyou reach an agreement or someone chooses to walk away.Accept the offer Accept the offerCongrats you're under contract
You know the property you want to buyand how much you'll have to pay for it.Now you'll choose a lender to get amortgage from (you can go with alender that preapproved you or startfresh with a different one). Even with an online-first lender, you'lloften work closely with a loan officer tocomplete the actual application.This is a paperwork-heavy process, soget ready to do a lot of uploading.Here's what you're likely to need:W-2 forms from the past two years(possibly more, if you've changedemployers).Pay stubs from the past 30 to 60days.Proof of other sources of income(including documentation of anygift money).Federal income tax returns fromthe past two years.Recent bank statements (usuallyfor the last couple of months).Details on long-term debts like caror student loans.ID and Social Security number.Once your mortgage application iscomplete, you'll go into underwriting.During this process, the lender makes afinal decision on whether to give youthe loan — it's basically making surethere's not anything about the dealthat's just too risky.Underwriting includes digging deepinto your finances, so you may needto come up with even moredocuments. The lender will also lookat the home you've chosen via anappraisal and request a title search.FINALIZE YOUR MORTGAGE
It might feel a little strange to takeout an insurance policy on a homeyou don't actually own yet, but mostlenders make securing homeownersinsurance a condition of giving you amortgage. You'll want enoughcoverage to fully replace the home(which might not be the same asyour purchase price or the appraisedvalue), and typically the policyshould become effective on yourclosing date.finalize home insuranceA basic home inspection can raiseissues you might face down the roadand point out any necessary repairs.This visual assessment covers allaspects of the house and itssystems, from the foundation to theroof. If you have a particular concern,like mold or radon, you may want toget one of the more specializedtypes of home inspections inaddition to a standard inspection.You choose the home inspector andpay for the home inspection. If ituncovers problems that weren'tincluded in the seller's disclosures,you may be able to negotiate withthe sellerOrder and attendinspection
When your home is under contract, you can’t move forward with the saleuntil an appraisal is done on your home. The outcome can affect whether or not you make it to closing and whetherthe price in the offer is the price you’ll end up with on settlement day. We go the extra mile during this phase of being under contract, meeting theappraiser at your home, and creating an information packet that helps theappraiser have all the information he or she needs for a favorable outcome. You don’t want the appraised value of your home to come in below the priceyou’ve negotiated with the buyer, so we have a very specific process formaking sure that doesn’t happen!ORDER AN APPRAISAL
Though some items, like proratingproperty taxes or HOA fees, will alreadyhave been addressed in your offerletter, you may still have some items tonegotiate before closing.Your ability to negotiate can hinge onwhat kind of market you're facing. In astrong seller's market, it can be difficultto get concessions, since the seller cansimply go to their next offer. But if it's anissue that will come up with any buyer— for example, a necessary repair thatwill get flagged by any home inspector— you may still have leverage.NEGOTIATE ANY REPAIRS ORCREDITS WITH THE SELLERASKING FOR A CREDIT ATCLOSING RATHER THAN FOR THESELLER TO COMPLETE NEEDEDREPAIRS CAN HELP KEEP THETRANSACTION MOVING. THESELLER SIMPLY REBATES YOU ANAGREED-UPON AMOUNT FORSPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS. THATCAN SAVE YOU A BIT OF CASHAT CLOSING, PLUS HANDLING THEREPAIRS YOURSELF (WHETHER DIYOR WITH A PRO) ENSURES THEWORK WILL BE DONE TO YOURSATISFACTION.
Declutter! Sort through every drawer,closet, cupboard & shelf, removingitems you no longer need or like. Donate or sell items that are in goodcondition.Get copies of medical records andstore them with your other importantdocumentsCreate an inventory of anythingvaluable that you plan to moveGet estimates from movingcompaniesSCHEDULING YOUR MOVEAFTER SIGNINGGive 30 days' notice if you are currentlyrentingSchedule movers/moving truck Buy/find packing materialsStart packing4 WEEKS TO MOVEContact utility companies (water,electric, cable)Change address: mailing,subscriptions, etc.Minimize grocery shoppingKeep on packing2 WEEKS TO MOVEObtain a certified check for closingComplete final walkthrough Finish packingCleanPack essentials for a few nights in newhomeConfirm delivery date with the movingcompany. Write directions to the newhome, along with your cell phonenumber 1 WEEK TO MOVE
closing dayClosing is when you sign ownership andinsurance paperwork and you receiveyour new home’s keys! Typically, closingtakes four to six weeks. During this time,purchase funds are held in escrow, whereyour money is held safe until thetransaction is complete.FINAL WALK-THROUGH We will do a final walk of the home within24 hours of closing to check the property’scondition. This final inspection takes aboutan hour. We will make sure any repair workthat the seller agreed to make has beendone.We will be sure to: • Make sure all appliances are workingproperly • Run the water in all the faucets andcheck for any possible leaks • Open and close garage doors withopener • Flush toilets • Run the garbage disposal and exhaustfansCLOSING TABLEWho will be there: • Your agent • The seller • The seller’s agent • Your loan officer BRING TO CLOSING • Government-issued photo ID • Copy of the sales contractCLOSING DAYrECEIVE YOUR KEYSCongratulations! It was a lot of hard workbut you are now officially homeowners!!Time to throw a party and get to knowyour new neighbors!
I LOVE THAT JENNIFER TOOK THETIME WHEN I WAS STRUGGLINGTO GET FINANCED AND WASVERY CLOSE TO JUST GIVING UP.SHE DIDN’T LET THAT HAPPEN.SHE FOUND ME A NEW FINANCECOMPANY THAT WORKED WITHME ON MY SCHEDULE. I LOVE MYHOUSE AND IF I WAS TO SELLTHIS IS THE PLACE I'D USE AGAIN.G. WALLACE
THANK YOU!WE WOULD LO VE T O WORK WI TH Y OU, PLE AS ERE ACH OUT I F YO U HAVE AN Y QU ESTIONS .GREen key real EstateDirect: 517-398-2541 jenniferrodgers@greenkeysellsmi.comwww.greenkeysellsmi.com2900 Spring Arbor Rd, Jackson, MIJennifer Rodgers