Buying a home doesn’t have to have complicated. In a perfect transaction, the buyer would give the seller cash, and the seller would give the buyer the deed to the property. Unfortunately that just doesn’t happen anymore. Even with a seemingly straightforward transaction, there can be a number of events that could potentially jeopardize the closing.

The French Real Estate Company is a FULL SERVICE agency, meaning we use our knowledge, experience, time, talent, and all available resources to help you purchase your new home.

We navigate you through the entire buying process, and help you to avoid or deal with anything that could stop you from closing. We will even help you get financing!

Ready, Set, Go!

• If you have a home to sell, get it on the market
  • We can help you with a “For Sale by Owner” scenario as well
• If you rent or lease, consider going month to month

Get Pre-Approved

• Know the difference between how much house you can buy vs. how much house you can afford
• Understand the Truth-in-Lending law
• Select lender and make appointment
• Gather supporting documentation
• Fill out Residential Loan Application (make copies too)
• Understand when you should lock the loan interest rate
• Know how much time your lender will need to provide loan commitment
• Understand loan closing costs

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Being denied credit
• Clearing up credit issues before purchase
• Paying too high of an interest rate
• Paying too much for closing costs

Don’t worry- you are working with the best around!

View Homes and Prioritize

• Only remember the top 3 or 4 houses
• Note any potential problem areas
• Watch for things that could potentially affect resale
• Observe the neighborhood and its characteristics

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Having unrealistic goals
• Not being pre-approved
• Trying to remember all the homes you see
• Not staying organized
• Stress

Relax- this should be a fun and exciting experience!

Make an Offer on a Home

• Determine offer price

• Earnest money- how much is enough?
• Arrange for any inspections or testings
• Determine how taxes should be prorated
• Understand that competition may exist
• Understand your negotiating position
• Decide whether to include contingencies
• Understand a bump option
• Understand the benefits of seller/buyer separation

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Offering too low
• Buyer’s remorse
• Becoming too emotionally attached to the home
• Worrying about things that don’t need to be worried about

Don’t worry- this is why you hired us!

Work at Removing Any Contingencies

• Earnest money
• Home inspection
• Well/septic inspections and tests
• Other inspections or tests
• Finance contingency
• Other contingencies

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Home inspection or test comes back negative
• Finance problems (appraisal)
• Can’t meet deadlines
• Title work reveals problems

We do our best to work through any of these possibities!

Homeowner’s Insurance

What are possible complications that could arise?

• 60 amp electrical service issues
• Overpriced premiums
• Not arranged in a timely manner

We are here to handle these types of situations!

Title Evidence is Received

• Review it

Utilities Cutover

Change of Address

• Phone
• Cable/internet
• Newspaper
• Voting registration

Pre-Closing Walk-Through

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Things removed that shouldn’t be
• Things not removed that should be
• Damage done since offer was made

We’ve got your back- that’s what we are here for!

Understand the Two-Step Closing Process

• Step one: Getting the Money and Signing LOTS of Documents
  • Mortgage
  • Note
  • Re-sign your application
  • Verify your social security numbers
  • Understand how taxes/insurance are to be paid
  • Automatic payment?
  • Closing statement
  • Handing over your documents
  • Other bank documents

• Step Two: Giving the Money to the Seller
  • The deed
  • Transfer return
  • Seller affidavit
  • Keys/garage door controls
  • Last chance for questions
  • Congratulations!

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Last minute problems (with just about anything)
• Accounting errors
• Paperwork missing

These situations require an agent experienced enough to deal with them- we are more than qualified!

After Closing

• Moving in!

What are possible complications that could arise?

• Buyer’s remorse
• Finding problems not previously detected

If the deal falls through, there is a completely different arrangement of scenarios. There could be earnest money returned, or there could even be damages and lawsuits.