The Home Buying Process - Where to Begin

Most of the choices we make in life are bound by a budget.

I have worked with only a few home buyers in Viera, Florida who have actually made the comment "money was no object."  Ultimately money was an object in all of these cases as well!.

When you are ready to consider purchasing a home contact a local lender.

Schedule an appointment to discuss your financial picture (obligations, income, cash on hand for closing costs) and review your credit.

Then get a mortgage pre-approval letter from the lender.

Sure you can call a real estate agent (call me at 321-693-3850) first if you choose.  Your local Brevard County real estate agent will point you toward the lender very early in the process.

If you did not get a real estate agent before getting the mortgage pre-approval letter then now it is time to get your real estate agent who will work with you throughout the process. 

With a mortgage pre-approval in hand you will likely want to start driving through neighborhoods you like looking at the homes for sale.

Don't calling the agent on the sign out front of a house.  There is no reason you should not have your own real estate agent who represents you.  Besides, the seller pays the buyer's real estate agent.

When you shop by budget there are sometimes concessions.  Your real estate agent will help you decide what you must have in your new home and what concessions will need to be made..... because of your budget.

How to be a successful buyer or seller in 2010 (or whenever you buy or sell!)

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Brandon

The real estate market in Brevard County, Florida – as well as most other places – has been in a decline for several years.

Decline if you are a seller, that is.

When someone decides to sell their house or condo, the first step is usually to call a local real estate agent in to talk about marketing their property and the “price they will get.”  It is this selling price that is very often much lower than the seller’s preconceived opinion.  This is the awareness part of the equation.

When some decides to buy a house or condo in a place like Viera or Suntree, the first thing they usually do is look on the Internet – for their real estate agent.   After exchanging emails or phone calls they explain what they are looking for in a house or condo.  And then, in many cases, their real estate agent has to apprise them of what is really available in their price range.  This is the awareness part of the equation. 

For either party, buyer or seller, to achieve success in their endeavor, they must accept the reality of the real estate market.  At this point, success is achievable. 

I have worked with many who have had to be to be dragged into the real market while others accepted the change in perspective.

In 2010, and for several years to come, buyers and sellers will need to adjust their preconceived notions about the real estate market! 

Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.

Negotiate to Deal, Not to Kill!

I keep reading (and writing) about price...  You know the stuff

• price it right price it to sell, 
• price for market, 
• price for location...

While it is true that price is a primary consideration, in the end a contract (signed by buyer and seller) depends on the two parties coming to a "meeting of the minds!  [As a seller your mind may be a bit frazzled by this point so just hang in there!] 

How does this happen? There are several routes. 

First, the offer shows up so perfect you, as a seller, could have written it yourself.  That rarely happens in this buyers market! 

The most likely route is there will be an offer, somewhat in the area of your reasonable target.  In this case it is time to use your real estate agent as your representative and negotiate to deal, not to kill!

A word to buyers:  Your offer can be a deal killer too! A reasonable offer that gets the parties talking in the appropriate direction for any serious buyer!

Buying and selling...two sides of the same coin... requires a bit of give and take (but not taking advantage!).

In Brevard County, Florida, call me at 321-693-3850 or email me.   Lets see how we (I work with Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge on a referral basis) can help you whether buying or selling in Brevard County, Florida.Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Bucci Realty, Rockledge, Florida.

Read my blog Florida Homes for Sale for more tips on buying and selling in Brevard County, Florida, especially, Viera, Suntree and Rockledge!

As long as one has a stable job in Brevard County, Florida…

As long as one has a stable job, not moving for 3-5 years, this could be a good time to buy a house or condo in Brevard County, Florida!

Interest rates are hovering around, although a bit over, the 5% mark at this time.

Some prognosticators say interest rates will rise as government spending increases. None of us has a crystal ball so all we know is interest rates are good now!

Home prices are attractive right now in Brevard County Florida. Although there is no expectation that values will increase substantially in the near future, the prices do make it tempting to purchase now.

If you are considering whether or not to purchase a house or condo in Brevard County, Florida, check out the prices. I can email you some listings.

If you are new to the area or the home buying process, feel free to ask me anything.

If you are a first time buyer and have questions about the first time home buyer program, ask me.

If you are needing direction in the mortgage process or have home insurance questions, ask me.

Make me your one-stop real estate resource point in Brevard County, Florida.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Bucci Realty, Rockledge Florida. Call me at 321-693-3850 or email agent@moving2Brevard.com.

Please read my other blogs Observations of a Viera Florida Real Estate Agent, Florida Homes for Sale, and Brevard County Real Estate Information as well as visiting my web site www.moving2brevard.com.

If I could read your mind…

I almost titled this short article “How come we have not found that perfect house yet?”

As a real estate agent in Brevard County Florida I have enjoyed working with lots of buyers and sellers. Some buyers find the perfect house in a couple of says while others can take months.

Sometimes the delay is the buyer really has no clue what they want to buy or if they really want to purchase a house in Brevard County, Florida!

Looking for a new home to purchase is (or should be) an exciting process.

Once you have gone through the mortgage pre-approval process, considered the benefits of home ownership, even the first time home buyer tax benefits, and selected your agent, you are ready!

A major key to the purchase process is separating your "wants," "nice to have" and "can’t have" characteristics in your ideal house. These may involve which schools, house size, age, bedrooms, commuting distance, price,new construction or existing, etc.

As a real estate agent I have found that the more questions I ask, the better. The key is knowing what a house must have and what it can't have...the rest is easy as pie!

Then finding the right properties to narrow your selection is your real estate agent's challenge!

But since I can't read minds, you will have to tell me your requirements!

So, as you prepare to search fro a house in Brevard county, Florida, think about what you need and what you do not want...and call me!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Bucci Realty, Rockledge, Florida. Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com.