Buying or selling a home in Rancho Palos Verdes? Excel Funding Real Estate Services, Inc. can help.

With a little planning ahead of time, buying a home isn't all that difficult, but the event is intimidating for many people. So they understand exactly what to expect, I like to give buyers an overview of the entire deal. These are my nine steps to buying a home. Should you have questions regarding any of this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
There are a lot of things you should take into account prior to starting your home search. It's likely that you'll want to create a check list of features you need, get an idea of what school districts and neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. A good guideline to go by is that your mortgage payment should be 1/3 of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Rancho Palos Verdes
That's where I can help. I'd like to plan a time to get together with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Rancho Palos Verdes area.

I'll also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in Rancho Palos Verdes, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They'll help you figure out which kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After our first meeting, I'll start finding available houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll research many of the houses and reject the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses when it's convenient for you.

As we view houses, I'll identify positive features, as well as negative ones. And I'll ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers amend their list of must-haves as we view houses and some items become more essential than others. If that's the case, I'll go back through the listings another time and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the market
An agent's knowledge of the Rancho Palos Verdes home market is a crucial factor in your house search. And I assure you I'm informed of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I will communicate which neighborhoods are "hot" and warrant immediate action and others that are "cold" and allow for thoughtful consideration.

As we tour homes, I'll let you know if the asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent in Rancho Palos Verdes will tell you they know the market, but be mindful, and be sure to ask plenty of questions. If things don't add up, just call me at 3107842828 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
We'll find the home of your dreams in the Rancho Palos Verdes area, and when we do, I'll meticulously develop your purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the home inspection, and a clean title.

Upon turning in your offer, you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to the seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is often applied to the cost of closing. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows necessary time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts aren't closed on the first offer – it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the deal depends on market conditions. We'll also work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll create a contract that is best for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
After the deal is finalized, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. If you're pre-approved, it shouldn't take very long at all. However, you'll want to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll sort out all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your application. This estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements require that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks okay.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will most likely take place at a title company or escrow office and is often a smooth and stress-free occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, be sure to call me at 3107842828 or e-mail me at .