CENTURY 21 Affiliated

A preapproval letter is a statement from a lender that the lender has reviewed the buyer(s) income, debts, credit, and finances. This statement also will explain the type of loan the buyer would be obtaining, details of the loan like rate and term, and any other conditions that the lender might require for buyer(s) to obtain financing like clear title, satisfactory appraisal, closing cost concessions, additional verifications, etc. A prequalification letter is similar to a preapproval letter, however the lender has not reviewed the buyer(s) information, but is relying upon the buyer(s) statements as fact to determine eligibility for financing. A prequalification letter is not a strong as a preapproval letter.

Absolutely! Many things can happen between the time an offer is submitted, inspections occur, and appraisal inspection is completed. Sometimes a walk through is needed to verify repairs were completed as requested, or just to make sure no one lit the couch on fire in the living room!.

Earnest money, also called a Good Faith Deposit, is money paid by the buyer, held typically by a title company, that is the security deposit in a transaction. This is the amount that shows the seller the buyers intent and good faith to follow through on an offer to purchase, to encourage the seller to take their offer and remove the home from the market. Earnest money is typically contingent upon property inspections and financing, but can also be conditioned on other contingencies in a transaction.

Speak with your Realtor to set up a search directly from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This data is the most current and accurate. Many websites do not keep their data current in an effort to keep you on their site.

Closing timelines vary from transaction to transaction depending on financing types, property inspections, and appraisal timelines. Typical financed transactions take 45-60 days from offer acceptance to closing, some less, some more. Cash deals can close in 30 days or less depending on inspections and title searches.

As many as it takes to find the right home with the right features in the right location for the right price!

There is no right or wrong answer to the question as depends on your specific circumstances. Many buyers are not able to carry their existing mortgage and a new mortgage at the same time. In todays competitive market most Sellers will also not wait for an offer contingent upon the sale of a home but take an offer that is not contingent upon a sale. In our current market conditions, you definitely need to speak with one of our Realtors to discuss what are your options!

Realtors adhere to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics, know the process inside and out, verify transaction details are complete, and have your best interest as your fiduciary in a transaction. Not every licensee is a Realtor!

The first step is to speak with a reputable local lender to discuss what loan options are available, what rates and fees might be, and to get a preapproval letter. In todays crazy world of low inventory and multiple offers, you need to know right now what your financing type and terms will be so you don’t miss out on your dream home.

The current COVID-19 restriction limits the number of participants in viewing a home to no more than 4, with those not actually in the transaction not allowed to go through as well (parents, siblings, friends). We also require a current preapproval or proof of funds prior to scheduling a showing.

Working with one of our knowledgeable agents is a great start! Pricing your home properly is foremost. We will research the comparative data for your home, make recommendations for repairs and improvements for best presentation, and leverage our marketing plan to get the maximum return in the shortest amount of time.