Ready to Buy a Home? Follow These Five Steps:
Step 1: Contact The Scot Campbell Team
Many homes sell before going into the MLS, so we may already know about a home that fits your needs which is not yet on the market. We can also answer your many questions about the market and the home buying process... finally we can refer you to several different lenders depending on your needs.
Step 2: Determine your price segment:
So much has changed in mortgage lending in the last few years. Interest rates are now very attractive, but qualifying for a loan is back to traditional guidelines. Before you shop for a home, it is absolutely necessary that you meet with a lender and get a Pre-Approval.
Step 3: Search the MLS for Homes On-Line
Now the fun starts… The Scot Campbell Team has the most up-to-date on-line home search systems available on the Internet:
- Do-It-Your-Self Search System: If you like to search the Realtor MLS on your own, you can start right now… just CLICK HERE and you will be taken to the “Search MLS” screen. You can search just Huntington Beach, any of the Coastal Cities, or all of Orange County if you like!
- Bargain Shopper Search Pages: We have set up Short Sale and Bank Owned search pages. These properties are not for everyone due to the condition, “as-is” sale requirements, and no contingencies allowed. However, for qualified buyers, the prices on these homes can be very attractive.
- Client Gateway Search System: The client gateway is a part of the Realtor MLS system. The system creates a website for you with one or several saved home searches… it is all very organized. And, the searches can be made very specific so you only get properties which meet your needs. The Gateway Search System even allows us to do map searches so you only get listings within a defined area which you get to select! Each search is continuously updated by the Realtor MLS system. If you would like to take advantage of the Client Gateway Search System, please Contact Us.
Step 4: Looking at Homes
There is no perfect home, but certainly some homes will meet your wants and needs better than others. We recommend you think about what is most important to you, then look for homes which have a good “blend” of location, size, amenities, and condition.
When you see an interesting home on one of our home lists, Contact Us. The Scot Campbell TEAM will arrange a private showing.
There are Four Points to Remember when looking at homes:
- Do Not call the Listing (seller’s) Agent when you want to see the interior of a home. A Dual Agent CANNOT legally give you the same representation and fiduciary care and service which The Scot Campbell TEAM will provide as your “Exclusive Buyer’s Agent”. It is proper for us as “the Buyer’s Agent” to show you through the home.
- If you go into an “Open House”, let the Listing Agent know that The Scot Campbell TEAM your Exclusive Buyer’s Agent. A reputable Listing (seller’s) Agent will appreciate your honesty.
- If you buy a home directly from the Listing Agent, you do not necessarily save money. Instead, the Listing Agent may earn a larger commission (often a “double” commission).
- Some buyers are fortunate enough to find a home that meets their needs in only a few days… for others it takes several weeks. If you do not find something within a few weeks, keep looking. Consider how you might be more flexible, and try to remain patient. Eventually you will find a special home, and when you do it is time to move onto the next important step.
Step 5: Offer, Acceptance, Escrow, and Closing
OK, you found a property you like. Before you can call the property “your home”, you must make an acceptable offer to the seller and complete a multitude of tasks culminating in the escrow closing.
During this final step, The Scot Campbell TEAM will be at your side all the way. We will provide sales comparables (to help you decide on a price), write up all of the documents, and coordinate the inspection, disclosures, loan, and escrow closing.
The Scot Campbell TEAM will make sure you understand the process, and we will work diligently to ensure everything comes together for an on-time closing.