Buying Orange County Real Estate and Homes for sale: The Step-By-Step Process

This is How I will Assist you as Your Orange County Realtor/Agent:

1. Initial Interview

• Determine your needs, wants, and desires in a home.
• Discuss real estate parameters.

2. Pre-qualify you with a Lender

• I will guide you to financial institutions to obtain the best financing available.
• Home Loan pre-qualification approval letter is obtained from lender.

3. Home Viewing

• Show you available homes that suit your needs.
• Listen to you carefully to help find your "ideal" home.
• Educate you about the current market.

4. Target a Home that is "Ideal" and Write the Offer

• I will write the offer for you.
• This procedure will take 1-3 hours.
• Deliver your earnest money deposit.

5. The Offer is Presented to the Seller

• I will prepare my presentation by highlighting the strengths of your offer and your strength as a buyer.
• I will present your offer to the sellers and the seller's agent.
• The sellers will either accept, counter or reject your offer.

6. Counter Offer

• Any counter-offers are discussed and prepared.

7. Escrow

• Once the offer is accepted, escrow is opened.
• Earnest money is deposited at this time.
• Escrow orders a Preliminary Title Report ("prelim") and sends copies to your agent and lender.
• Escrow instructions are issued to all parties along with the opening package.

8. Loan Application

• A completed loan application is submitted to the lender of your choice with all necessary documentation.

9. Contingency Period

• Buyer receives and approves Seller's Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement.
• Buyer approves the Preliminary Title Report provided by the Title Company.
• Loan approval, including an appraisal of the property.
• Physical inspections/pest inspections are completed.

10. Homeowners Insurance Coverage

• Buyers obtain a Homeowners Insurance Policy for their new home and the insurance information is given to escrow.
• Escrow orders a copy of the homeowners' insurance policy for the new lender prior to escrow closing.

11. Signing Documents

• Buyers need to bring current photo ID to sign notarized loan documents.
• Copies of title and lender documents are given to buyers.

12. Down Payment and Closing Funds

• The escrow officer provides you with a Buyer's Estimated Closing Statement which itemizes your costs and advises you of total monies due.
• Buyer provides a cashier's check several days prior to closing.

13. Funding

• The lender sends funds to the Title Company.

14. Close of Escrow

• The deed is recorded at the County Recorder's office by the Title Company. (You will receive the original back from the County Recorder in approximately two months.)
• Keys are transferred from buyer to seller.

15. You Are Ready to Move In