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

Buying a home intimidates many people, but it's not that complex with some up-front planning. So they know exactly what to expect, I'll supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
Before you start searching for a home, there are plenty of things you need to take into account. You'll want to assemble an outline of features you want, get a plan of what school districts you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or around a third of your monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent
That's where I can help. We can schedule a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, schools in the Rancho Palos Verdes area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any other economic factors that may potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future.

I'll also assist you with getting started on your loan. 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 can help you choose which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a home
After our initial meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll preview most of the houses and throw out the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the homes at a time that's convenient for you.

As we tour the houses, I'll call attention to good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to change their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some items become far more necessary than others. If such is the case, I'll look through the listings once again and trim it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
An agent's knowledge of the Rancho Palos Verdes home market is a necessary element in your house search. And I can assure you I'm informed of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I'll communicate certain neighborhoods are "hot" and demand prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

As we view houses, I'll let you know if the seller's asking price has room for negotiation or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be on guard and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as any real estate agent will convince you they know the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, just call me at 3107842828 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will help you stay a step ahead through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm positive we'll find the home of your dreams in Rancho Palos Verdes. When we do, I'll precisely 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 obtaining financing, completing the inspection, and a clear title.

When submitting your purchase offer, you'll probably want to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to the seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is typically applied to the closing costs. If your offer is accepted, we should close within 30 to 60 days after. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the first offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll formulate a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure your loan
Once the deal is finished, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you've been pre-approved, this won't take much time at all. However, you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

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

Then it's time to close on your home. This will most often occur at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and comfortable affair.

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