Buying a Home

Rachna is a licensed professional with specialized skills. There are many benefits you receive from working with an experienced agent. She can provide you savings through knowledge. Once you start working with Rachna you will quickly realize how thorough, confident and trust worthy she is, alleviating most of the stress you may have.                     

It is very important to Rachna that she gets an understanding of who you are and what you are looking for. She will provide information on schools, neighborhoods and communities to help you find the area that best reflects your lifestyle and needs. With extensive knowledge about our local market she can quickly narrow down a few areas that you are likely to find your home at the price you want. Rachna will make appointments, preview homes with you and help you determine the pros and cons of each home. Rachna has access to the multiple listing service (MLS), a service that provides access to thousands of homes for sale. She can provide information and make appointments to see any property listed for sale. A home does not have to be listed by a Skyline agent in order to get detailed information or an appointment to view.

Once that perfect home has been found Rachna will do all she can to insure that you get the best price and terms.  She will guide you through the negotiation, legalities and details of purchasing a home.

Benefits of Home Ownership

There are many benefits of home ownership, from financial reasons to a sense of security. Financially you will save on your yearly personal income tax return. Many of the closing costs, mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible. Owning a home also helps you establish financial credibility. Home improvements and inflation will increase the value of your home, making homeownership a very profitable investment.

As a homeowner you have much more independence and more privacy than renting. You are free to paint walls, plant flowers, keep pets and anything else within legal bounds. A home reflects its owner's values and lifestyle. Owning a home can provide you with a source of pride, enjoyment and satisfaction. Also being established in a community provides a sense of belonging, stability and security.

Beginning the Process

Organization is the key to finding the home you want while spending the least amount of time and energy. Find out how much house you can afford. Do this before you go house hunting. Rachna can help you determine how much of a down payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment.

Make a list of everything you want in a home. You will then go over the list with Rachna so that she is very clear on what you want and need in your home. Keep good notes as you look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home. Some buyers take pictures as they go along.

When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and that you understand the cost of repairs.  Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you.  She can help you by accessing a Listing Service which covers all properties listed for sale within a specific area. Together, you can select the homes you would like to see, set appointments and preview homes in a short period of time. Rachna can guide you through the entire process.

Relax. Finding your new home can be a rewarding experience. Have a good time and enjoy the process.

Purchase and Sale Agreement

Once you have found the home you want to buy, Rachna will work with you to complete a purchase and sale agreement. This is the contract in which you and the buyer outline the details of your property transfer. The purchase and sale agreement usually consists of the Earnest money receipt, Financing addendum, Inspection addendum, Conditions/disclosure addendum, Contingency addendum-when appropriate, Addendum outlining special conditions, Lead-based paint notification-when appropriate, Agency disclosure form and Property disclosure form completed by the property seller.

The Importance of a Home Inspection

A home inspection should be conducted by a qualified professional. Rachna recommends that buyers be present when an inspection is performed so that the inspector can describe the process and findings to you personally. A home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.

As your agent, Rachna is familiar with home inspection services and can provide you with a list of names from which to choose. Another good source for finding a home inspector is to ask a friend, or perhaps a business acquaintance, who has had a home inspection and can recommend a home inspector they were satisfied with.

Remember, no home is perfect. If problems are found, Rachna will help you negotiate through the process.

Appraisal – The Value of Your New Home

An appraisal is a professional evaluation of a property's monetary value, usually completed at the request of the lender and for the lender's benefit. Appraisers consider numerous factors such as square footage, construction quality, design, floor plan, amenities, energy efficiency, lot size, topography, view, and landscaping. Other issues appraisers take into account are neighborhood quality and a property's proximity to transportation, shopping, and schools.

Homeowners Insurance

Once you have found a home to purchase, you will want to protect your investment with insurance. Most buyers invest in a comprehensive homeowner's insurance policy, which provides coverage for fire damage, water damage, personal possessions, personal liability, vandalism, theft, and loss of use of the house. If you are financing your home purchase, your lender will require you to buy at least basic hazard insurance, which will fund the cost of rebuilding your home. It is important to contact your insurance professional early in the buying process. They will be able to advise you of their ability to provide coverage as well as to quote the rates and terms of the policy.

Closing the Deal

The final stage of the transaction process occurs with the transfer of title from seller to buyer. After closing has occurred, the policy is sent to you by your title and escrow professional, the third party who transfers the money and documents (including title and deed) from the buying and selling parties. The escrow company prepares documents, draws up the closing statements, obtains necessary signatures, records documents, and receives and disburses funds.

Get Your Keys

Once you have been handed the keys to your new home on the agreed possession date, it is helpful to keep in mind that some practical and cosmetic matters need attention. Before you take possession of your new home, utilities will need to be changed to your name. And services such as electricity and phone may need to be reactivated. Also, check in with the nearest post office to assure proper mail forwarding. Consider hiring a cleaning service to thoroughly clean the home before you move in. And for security purposes, it may be prudent to change the locks and install a theft deterrent system.