Contemplating purchasing a new home in Fort Lauderdale? URG-Marshall Minotto can help.

Buying a home is an intimidating event for most people, but with a bit of planning ahead of time, it isn't too difficult. I like to give buyers an outline of the whole deal so they know exactly what they can expect. These are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have any questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are several things you'll want to consider before beginning your home search. When you start your search, you'll want to assemble an outline of items you want to have, get an idea of what school districts and neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin planning around your budget. A good guideline to go by is that your mortgage payment should be close to 30 percent of your monthly income.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Fort Lauderdale
This is where I come in. We'll plan a time to meet so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, schools in the Fort Lauderdale area, the mortgage and housing industries, to any other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some great mortgage professionals in Fort Lauderdale, and I partner with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They can help you decide which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin your home search
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin finding homes on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll preview many of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view the houses, I'll point out good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. As a rule, buyers update their list of must-haves as we tour homes and some things become more necessary than others. If that's the situation, I'll look through all the listings one more time and narrow it down to the house of your dreams.

Step 4 – Know the market
An agent's awareness of the Fort Lauderdale housing market is a necessary component in your house search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I'll let you know which areas are "hot" and warrant immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for cautiousness.

As we view homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's list price has room for negotiation and also when I trust the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and make sure you ask plenty of questions. Any REALTOR in Fort Lauderdale will claim to understand the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, just call me at 9548811753 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been looking for
I know we'll find your dream home in the Fort Lauderdale area. When that happens, I'll precisely develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including many contingencies. A few examples are getting financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

Upon sending in your offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is typically put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts aren't closed on the beginning offer – it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it alarm you. We'll talk about whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on the state of the market. We'll also work within your financing limits. And at the end of the day, we'll create a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
After the contract is finished, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. This shouldn't take much time at all if you're pre-qualified, but you'll want to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of accepting your application. The estimate is based on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks okay.

Then we'll close on your house. This will probably take place at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and stress-free event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, make sure you contact me at 9548811753 or e-mail me at .