Buyers

How To Choose YOUR Realtor?

The most important decision you will make when purchasing your home or property is choosing the right Real Estate Professional. Someone who trully cares about YOU and YOUR NEEDS. Someone that is knowledgable, trustworthy and dedicated to providing excellent customer service. I pledge to do that and much more.

I LISTEN to your needs and concerns, I COMMUNICATE every step of the way, I utilize my negotiating SKILLS, and I work for your BEST INTEREST.

If you are looking for True Customer Service, and a professional that delivers results that exceed your expectations, I AM AT YOUR SERVICE.

You have a family doctor, a family dentist, a family insurance agent, a family bank, now you have found your FAMILY REALTOR.

If you're a first-time buyer you can find more information here.

Before you shop:

Be a smart consumer. Learn the financing basics. Know how to shop for a home loan that's right for you.

Get pre-approved. This takes very little time and lets you know the price range that fits your lifestyle.

Know what you want. The last thing you need is to close a deal and realize you bought a house you don't want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time and necessary repairs.

Keep your debt load to a minimum. Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and don't apply for new ones. Remember, financial institutions evaluate your financial situation on your gross monthly income. Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 40 percent of your gross monthly income.

Be prepared to view new properties quickly. Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.

Have instant access to your agent. Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice. You can be sure that I am reliable and always willing to help.

Before you buy:

Submit a strong competitive offer.

Include a substantial earnest money deposit. Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit. The check will be sent to the title company where closing will take place. The check will not be cashed until your offer has been accepted by the sellers. It will then be applied to your closing costs, down payment or loan amount at the time of closing. It is only necessary to submit this with the offer so the sellers of the property know that you are serious about purchasing their home.

Try to minimize the number of contingencies. Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer. This means that do not include many conditions on the offer. Some examples are: The need to sell your current home prior to closing the new one. Most sellers in the current market will not accept offers with that typr of contingency.

Hire an inspector. A professional home inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition. The lender you work with will hire the appraiser to inspect the property and give it an estimated market value for financing purposes to make sure it is worth the selling price.

A home inspection is always a very important step to take when purchasing a home. Some items of concern might not be seen by the buyers, but can be pointed out by a licensed home inspector. This way you avoid any surprises and unexpected expenses.

Check zoning regulations and covenants. Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle. I provide you with a copy of the Covenants and Restrictions early in the process so you are well informed of specific building codes, and guidelines enforced.

Request an updated property survey. The property survey is ordered by the title company and will be available to you on or before the time of closing for your review. Make sure it clearly marks boudaries and looks correct.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract should be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale.


Get agreements in writing. Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later.

I hope you have found these tips to be helpful. Please feel free to contact me directly at (575) 312-2969 if you have any further questions. I look forward to working with you!

Sandra Espiritu