Content: Seattle home buyer, home buying process explained, Washington state real estate law

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Home Buying in Six Steps

My first responsibility is to give you, the Seattle home buyer, the official pamphlet on Washington State Agency Law.

STEP 1

Prepare before you go shopping! Get ready to answer these questions:

1. What can you afford to buy?
   Are you working with a mortgage broker? Do you have a letter of pre-approval?
2. Why are your buying?
   Still renting, downsizing, need more room, job change, relocating?
3. What's your time table?
   Do you need to sell your current home first?
4. What's most important to you in a home?
   For example: no stairs, fenced yard, etc.
5. What’s most important to you in a neighborhood?
   Excellent schools, easy commute, walk to stores, etc.

STEP 2

Answered the questions in Step 1? You are ready to start your search. Here's how:

1. You can search yourself RIGHT HERE
   You'll receive automatic emails with new listings that match your criteria.
2. I will set up a custom search on the members-only Multiple Listing Service (MLS) website
   I'll notify you in “real time” with listings.
3. We visit the most promising homes together.
   Or I'll preview the home and send you more information and photos.
4. We will discuss the pros and cons and decide if the home is worth an offer.
   Revisit the questions in STEP 1 above!

STEP 3

Make a written offer. An offer becomes a contract when you and the seller have reached “mutual agreement”. Here's how this happens:

1. Your offer states the offer price, terms and conditions.
   Terms include the date you would like to take possession. Conditions usually include an inspection of the property.
2. When presented with the offer, the seller has three choices: (1) ignore, (2) agree, (3) or make a counter-offer.
   Even the smallest change to your offer constitutes a counter-offer.
3. If you receive a counter-offer from the seller you have the same three choices.
   Only when one party makes NO changes and signs the offer or counter offer as received, do we have “mutual agreement.”

Continue to next page for steps 4 through 6.

Questions? Call me at 425-891-8213 or send me an email.

Note: As a buyer, you are paying indirectly for my services. I receive a portion of the commission the listing agent negotiated with the seller. Any questions?

Website content © 1995 - 2007, Gerhard N Ade. Information from reliable sources, but not guaranteed. Created and maintained by Gerhard N Ade.

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