Buyer Strategies
STEP 4 – A WALK IN THE PARK
November 13th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
[NOTE: Rob Martinson continues his series on getting the home mortgage process right for home buyers in Northern Virginia. His previous installments are in our Mortgage & Finance archive.]
For you, the buyer, this is a pretty easy step. Read the rest of this entry »
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USING THE INTERNET TO SELECT A REAL ESTATE AGENT – PART 2
October 26th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
If you are using the Internet to help you screen and select a real estate agent you’d like to work with, this series is for you. I started out with the assertion that this choice is consequential. If you want a good outcome from your real estate transaction, you should definitely make a good selection of agent to assist you. Read the rest of this entry »
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STEP 3 – IT’S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE!
October 23rd, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
[NOTE: Rob Martinson continues his series on getting the home mortgage process right for home buyers in Northern Virginia. His previous installments are in our Mortgage & Finance archive.]
I likened this step to a rollercoaster in my synopsis. By this point you will feel like things have been dragging along without too much happening – sort of like that long slow ascent up the first hill. But now it is time for the ride. Your loan officer should already have your loan on the system and approved through underwriting. All you need to do at this point is hand him a contract of sale to push the car over the hill.
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USING THE INTERNET TO FIND A REAL ESTATE AGENT? PLEASE READ.
August 20th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Are you using the Internet to find a real estate agent in the Northern Virginia area?
If the answer is “Yes,” this post is just for you. Here are easy to apply criteria to help you make a great choice.
I won’t waste your time with a thinly disguised sales pitch. If you decide to include my team and I among those you will consider working with, fantastic. But that’s not my focus here.
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THE POST-CLOSING PROCESS: SHOW ME THE MONEY
August 18th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance, Seller Strategies
[NOTE: John Pitrelli continues his series for home buyers and home sellers in Northern Virginia with this brief explanation to help "demystify" the process of settlement and "closing" on your home purchase or sale. To view John's other posts please click here.]
Once the closing documents have been signed and notarized, the post-closing process can begin. The first step in post-closing is to verify that all funds have been received in “liquid” form (cash, wire or certified funds). Read the rest of this entry »
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STEP 2 – FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE: IS IT REALLY LIKE DOING THE LAUNDRY?
August 15th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
[NOTE: Rob Martinson continues his series on getting the home mortgage process right for home buyers in Northern Virginia. His previous installments are in our Mortgage & Finance archive.]
Now it is time for you to get some real work done on the streets. You know how much you can afford; now you need to find a home in that price range. Stick with it, sportsfans, it can be a pretty crazy ride. Read the rest of this entry »
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THE ACCIDENTAL vs. INTENTIONAL REAL ESTATE CONSUMER
August 2nd, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Let’s say you are looking for a real estate agent in Chantilly, Centreville, or the Western Fairfax region…,or anywhere else for that matter. It’s a decision with significant consequences.
My objective here is to offer a perspective and provide a resource on making a good choice. What I really want to do is condense thousands of experiences with a simple but vital point that I hope will be of real value: make a careful and wise choice as to who you work with as your real estate agent. Read the rest of this entry »
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STEP 1 – DON’T GET PRE-QUALIFIED FOR YOUR LOAN! LET ME EXPLAIN…
July 29th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
[NOTE: Rob Martinson continues his series on getting the home mortgage process right. His first and second installments are in our Mortgage & Finance archive.]
So you want to buy a house in Northern Virginia do you?
For years I have been getting phone calls from borrowers telling me they are looking to get pre-qualified for a loan. My response? “No you don’t.” (Confused silence usually ensues). Read the rest of this entry »
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THE PRE-CLOSING PROCESS – KNOWING THE BASICS BEFORE YOU GET TO THE TABLE
July 27th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance, Seller Strategies
[NOTE: Drawing on several decades of experience as a real estate attorney, John Pitrelli contributes articles of interest for home buyers and home sellers. To view John's other posts please click here.]
As a home buyer, one of the most important parts of the transaction is the closing. What are some of the pitfalls of the closing process and how can you avoid them? In my next few posts I hope to describe what should happen and what you can do to avoid problems. Read the rest of this entry »
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UNDERSTANDING THE MORTGAGE PROCESS – FIVE STEPS AND YOU ARE HOME
July 20th, 2008 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
Let’s get into it then. I promised in my initial posting that by the time I was through, you would understand the mortgage loan process (whether you are a home buyer or a seller) from beginning to end. I think I also mentioned something about an exciting ride. I will do my best to attempt a perfect two for two, but sometimes batting .500 is not so bad. I’ll let you be the judge.
So, first things first. Read the rest of this entry »
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