Buyer's Checklist - Buying Real Estate in and around Killeen, Texas
Your Source For Killeen Texas, Fort Hood Real Estate

Searching for real estate in the Killeen Texas, Ft Hood, Belton, Harker Heights area? Search no more! We can help you with all of your real estate needs. As relocation professionals, we will be able to assist you with all aspects of your move to Killeen Texas – Ft Hood area. - Lisa Jay, ePRO, It's All About You!

Steps in the home buying process - First time home buyer's information:

1. Pre-qualify for mortgage - This is the first and most important step in the home buying process.

    First Community Mortgage - Carol Berger  254-526-5100

2. Discuss Information About Brokerage Services - Per company policy, we will discuss buyer agent, seller agent, intermediary services

3. Discuss home search criteria

    Bedrooms

    Square Feet

    Location

    Age

    Garage capacity

    Lot Size

    Price

4. Search the entire MLS for properties that meet your needs. we are able to sell ANY home that is listed in the MLS, as well as any homes with a yard sign, in any home magazine or homes listed in the newspaper. If you see something while driving around town, don't call the number on the sign.....instead give us a call and we will be glad to show it to you!

5. Make appointments to preview properties that meet your criteria

6. Let's go home shopping!

7. Once you have found the perfect home, there are several things that we need to do for you, the buyer:

    Do a market analysis to establish a fair price for the home - check to make sure that the list price is a fair price

    Call listing agent to check to make sure the property is still available

    We will request a Seller's Disclosure from listing agent - the seller has disclosed anything that they know is wrong with the property

    Decide if you want to "purchase" an option period** -- include a check for this option period made out to the seller

    Escrow money check for the earnest money made out to title company -- usually around $250-$1000

    Submit offer that includes: pre-qual letter, option money, escrow money

Once offer has been accepted, signed and returned, we move onto the next steps that we take care of for you, my buyer.

8. Enter "execution date" into the contract - Your 10 day option period starts at that date and ends at midnight the 10th day.

9. Take earnest money to title company along with a copy of the contract

10. Fax copy of contract to the Mortgage company

11. We will assist you in scheduling a home inspection as soon as possible - This must be paid for at time of inspection by you, the buyer. (aprox. $175-$225) Here is a list of  home inspectors

12. Once the home inspection is conducted, you review the inspection with the inspector and decides what repairs you would like the seller to have done prior to close.

13. Submit an amendment to the seller requesting repairs.

14. You, the buyer, may OPT OUT of the contract at any time during the option period.

15. The contract goes forward if all parties agree within the option period.

16. Once option period has ended, we will assist you with ordering the survey, termite inspection, insurance and home repairs. If you are using your VA benefits, the mortgage company will order the appraisal. Otherwise, we will assist you in ordering the appraisal.

17. As your agent, we will make preparations for closing, council you about closing procedures and set up closing date.

18. One week prior to closing, you will call the utilities companies for utility change over.

19. 2 days prior to closing, we will walk through the property to make sure that it is clean and all repairs have been taken care of per the contract.

20. Prior to closing, we will review the closing statement with you and make corrections if needed.

21. If you are expected to bring money to the closing table, it must be a certified money order if the amount is more than $1000.  NO MONEY ORDERS!  NO PERSONAL CHECKS!

22. We attend all closings with our clients!

23. You will receive the keys AFTER closing and funding by the mortgage company. This means that all documents are back and signed from both buyer and seller and the mortgage company has funded. If the closing is a mail out to either party, the closing and funding may be delayed until all documents are returned.

**What is an "Option Period" - This is usually a 10 day period that the potential buyer has to get the home inspected for any defects, request repairs from seller, or to just plain "opt out" of the contract for ANY REASON. If buyer opts out of the contract during this option period, the escrow money is then returned to the potential buyer.