Your Plan

1.  Find the right representative
Even if you’re not quite ready to buy, your buyer’s agent can be an absolute wealth of information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments you might not have know about otherwise.  Speak to your agent first and he or she can be helping to guide you right from the start.

2.  Find out what your price range is
Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval.  Just speaking to your lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly on renovating).

3.  Find out what your local market looks like
The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research.  Start with your agent – he or she can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing you real estate listings that may interest you (or at least give you a better idea of what your needs and wants are).

4.  Find out what your true needs and wants are
Compose a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market conditions, your price range, and the advice of your real estate agent.

5.  Find your dream home!
Once you’re ready to act, you may be surprised by how quickly you can make a decision.  Armed with your pre-approval, a little market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, call your real estate agent, hit the pavement, and when you see ‘the house’, put in an offer.

6. Contact Kim Schreiner Today! 

With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!

First Time Buyer? - Learn more about the home buying process! Click here!


Your Team

Your Agent
A successful purchase starts with the right representative. In fact, once you’ve selected the best agent to represent you, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders.

Lender (and Appraiser)
A bank is not just a bank. Having the right backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and typically will make arrangements for the appraisal themselves.

Home Inspector
No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your agent for a recommendation.

Contractors
Planning some renovations? You’re not the only one! The home renovation industry is booming, and in some markets, booking a contractor must be done months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead will almost certainly make your renovation smoother, and you contractor will appreciate the advance notice.


Finding Your Neighborhood

1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence.  Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are not.

2. Determine what the best features of the neighborhoods are and what's important to YOU.  This is especially helpful if you are deciding between a few different neighborhoods.

  • Are there parks nearby?
  • Is it scenic and visually appealing?
  • Are there quiet areas, streets, culs de sac?
  • Are the people friendly in the neighborhood?
  • Is the neighborhood clean?  Yards, streets, parks?
  • Are there nice trees and foliage?
  • Do the lots have large or small yards?
  • Are there walkways and are they easily accessible?
  • Is it a safe neighborhood?
  • What are the market values of the homes in the area?
  • Are there many houses for sale?
  • How long ago was the community developed?
  • What is the average age of the people in the area?
  • Are there families with small children in the area?
  • What is the proximity to schools?
  • Are there community events or organizations?
     

3. Walk around in the neighborhood.  The best way to determine the cleanliness and friendliness of the neighborhood is to walk around in it and meet its residents.

 


Your Calculator

Let me help you find out what you can afford! This mortgage calculator will help you determine loan amounts, mortgage qualification, or whether you should be renting or buying.  Complete the fields below (e.g., Cost of Home, Down Payment, Monthly Income) and click Calculate Now. To view the different results of your calculation, click on the various tabs. To mail yourself a copy of your results, click the Receive this Detailed Analysis link.

Required Fields
   
    %
$
$  
$  
Estimate Insurance to of Cost
$  
Estimate Tax to of Cost
$
$
Optional Fields
   
   
$
Results
Receive Detailed Analysis  Receive this Detailed Analysis

Your Monthly Payments
 
Loan Amount:
Loan Insurance (%):
Total Loan (Mortgage) Amount:
 
Principal & Interest:
Homeowners Insurance:
Property Taxes:
Condo Fees:
Monthly Loan Insurance (%):
Total Monthly Payment:
Income Needed to Qualify for the Mortgage
Total Monthly Loan Payment:
Total Monthly Debt Payment:
Monthly Loan Insurance (%):
Qualifying Income of % GDS Ratio:
Qualifying Income of % TDS Ratio:
What You Can Afford
We are using the % ratio.
Cost of House:
Down Payment:
Loan Value:
Monthly Principal & Interest:
Monthly Insurance:
Monthly Property Tax:
Monthly Condo Fees:
 
Cost of House = [(Monthly income x Debt Ratio) –
monthly tax – monthly insurance – condo fee] /
(monthly interest rate/ function of interest rate)
Renting
Monthly Rent: $
Annual Rental Increases:  %
Monthly Renter Insurance: $
Savings or Investment Rate:  %
 
Owning
Planned # of years in home: 
Yearly appreciation of the home:  %
Annual home maintenance:  %

Your Real Estate News

Home mortgage rates and real estate news - CNNMoney.com

Read full story for latest details.

8/8/2018 9:19:25 AM

Read full story for latest details.

8/21/2018 11:35:35 AM

In the market for a new home? Or planning to refinance? Find out what your monthly payment will be.

2/2/2015 9:53:13 AM

Europe took 11 of the top 20 spots on a ranking of cities with the largest price increases in the first quarter, according to global property agency Knight Frank.

7/17/2018 6:28:00 AM

Read full story for latest details.

8/7/2018 11:55:43 AM

Your Real Estate Professional

Click the Pic to Contact Kim Schreiner
Kimberly Schreiner
SRES, ePRO, SFR, Realtor®
215-510-2149

Remax Real Estate, Remax Above the Crowd, Remax Affiliates, Northeast, Kim Schreiner
Kimberly Schreiner, SRES, ePRO, SFR, Realtor®
PA License RS291767   NJ License 1861836

CELL 215-510-2149  ♦  MAIN OFFICE 215-547-5300
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KimMovesYou@gmail.com