Your Easy Step by Step Home Buying Checklist

1.  Consultation - Meet with your Real Estate Agent! Discuss what you are looking for. 2.  Pre-Qualified - If you need financing get pre-approved by a lender or bank. 3.  Home Search!  Your agent will narrow down options for your reivew. 4.  Make an Offer! Negotiate the offer and get it accepted! Contingent on inspection. 5.  Home Inspection - Discuss Results, decide if any repairs are needed and if you want to move forward. 6.  Appraisal & Title Search - The bank or lender orders the appraisal, title search and final financing is set. 7.  Closing - Sign papers and pop the bubbly! Congratulations,  you are home owner!!!!   That's right!    We wil lbe here the whole way!!!   Steven Judd Broker Associate 904-343-9813

How does your Real Estate Agent Server you?

1. Schedule time to meet for a Strategy session 2. Prepare Guide & Educational Presentation 3. Meet and Discuss Goals and Non-Negotiables 4. Explain Agency Relationships 5. Discuss different types of financing options 6. Help find a mortgage lender 7. Obtain pre-approval letter from lender 8. Provide resources to research crime in the neighborhoods, school ratings etc 9. Provide overview of current market conditions 10. Explain Company’s value 11. Discuss Earnest money deposit 12. Explain home inspection process 13. Educate about local neighborhoods 14. Discuss foreclosures and short sales 15. Explain school district effect on home values 16. Gather needs and wants of next home 17. Explain recording devices during showings 18. Learn all goals and make a plan 19. Create internal file records 20. Send homes with their criteria 21. Start showing homes as requested 22. Schedule & organize all showings 23. Gather showing instructions for each listing 24. Send showing schedule 25. Show up early and prepare first showing 26. Look for possible repair issues while showing 27. Gather feedback from each showing 28. Update when new homes hit the market 29. Share knowledge & insight about the homes 30. Guide through emotional journey 31. Listen & Learn at each showing 32. Keep records of all showings 33. Update listing appointments with feedback 34. Discuss homeowner’s association 35. Estimate expected utilities usage cost 36. Confirm water source & status 37. Discuss transferable warranties 38. Explain property appraisal process 39. Discuss multiple offers situations 40. Create practice offer to help prepare 41. Provide updated housing market data 42. Inform showing activity weekly 43. Update on any price drops 44. Find the right home 45. Listen to client’s needs 46.Determine property inclusions & exclusions 47.Prepare sales contract when ready 48.Educate on sales contract options 49.Determine need for lead based paint disclosure 50.Explain home warranty options 51.Update pre-approval letter with each new offer 52.Discuss loan objection deadlines 53.Choose a closing date 54.Verify listing data is correct 55.Review comps to determine value 56.Prepare & submit offer to listing agent 57.Negotiate offer with listing agent 58.Execute sales contract and disclosures 59.Once under contract send to Escrow Company 60.Coordinate Earnest money wire transfer 61.Deliver copies to mortgage lender 62.Obtain copy of seller disclosures 63.Delivery copies of contract/addendum 64.Obtain a copy of HOA bylaws 65.Keep track of copies for office file 66.Coordinate inspections 67.Meet home inspector at property 68.Review home inspection 69.Negotiate inspection objectives 70.Get all agreed upon repair items in writing 71.Verify all existing lease agreements 72.Check in with lender to verify load status 73.Check on appraisal date 74.Negotiate any unsatisfactory appraisals 75.Coordinate closing time and location 76.Make sure all documents are fully signed 77.Verify escrow company has everything needed 78.Reminder to schedule utilities transfer 79.Make sure all parties are notified of closing time 80.Solve any title problems before closing 81.Receive and review and closing documents 82.Review closing figures 83.Confirm repairs have been made by sellers 84.Perform final walk through 85.Resolve any last-minute issues 86.Get CDA signed by brokerage 87.Attend closing 88.Provide home warranty paperwork 89.Facilitate transfer of keys and accessories 90.Close out file And more.....call and see what we can do for you!!!   904-878-8560   Ask for Steve Judd or Bill Elliott

Thinking of selling?

47 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Sell Faster Suggestions and ideas to improve your home's appearance and help you prepare to sell it faster!   Throughout the House I. Open the draperies, pull up the shades, and let in the sunlight. 2. Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night, and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly. 3. Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them. 4. If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating. 5. Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times. 6. Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well 7. Have a family "game plan" to get the home in order quickly if necessary. 8. Air out your home for one-half hour before showings, if possible. 9. Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives. I 0. Put family photos in storage. I I. Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture. 12. Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture. 13. Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls. 14. Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger. I 5. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper. 16. Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home. 17. Wash all windows inside and out. 18. Use plants in transitional areas of your house. 19. Make the most of your attic's potential. 20. Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires. 21. Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, 22. Remove all smoke and pet odors. 23. Repair or replace banisters and handrails.   In the Kitchen 24. Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before a showing and place it in an out-of-the-way place. 25. Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner. 26. The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean. 27. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances   In the Bedrooms 28. Create a master suite effect in your decorating. 29. Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme. 30. Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean. 3 I. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.   In the Bathrooms 32. Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use. 33. Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white. 34. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub. 35. Replace shower curtains and keep them clean. 36. Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.   Outside 37. Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times. 38. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway, and patio. 39. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and trash from the yard. 40. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition. 41. Paint all entrance doors. 42. Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary. 43. Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers, etc.) 44. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned. 45. Use a new doormat. 46. Be sure the front doorbell is in good working order. 47. Be sure the front door and screen door works perfectly.

Thinking of Buying a Home?

7 Bridges Home Group does FREE Homebuyer Consultations!   What we discuss: Financing a Home... How much can I afford? What if I don’t have perfect credit? What will my monthly payment be? How do I get pre approved? How do I find a lendor? Finding a Home... Do I need a realtor? What is available in my price range? When should I start looking? What if I am in a lease? How do I get started? Contact William Elliott if you are interested in your free consultation. Real Estate isting Agent 904-248-0493 7bridgeshomegroup@gmail.com