I Want To Buy A Home

Congratulations!  You have decided to purchase a home or are thinking about buying a home in the Green Bay and De Pere Wisconsin area.  You'll be joining the ranks of millions of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future and creating an environment for your family. 

It's A Great Time To Buy A Home!

Right now is one of the best times to buy a home.  Consider these facts:

1)  Interest rates are at near record lows.  We will be happy to recommend some area lenders who will work hard to find you the most competitive rate for you and save you money.

2)  There is a large inventory of homes offering you the greatest choice in decades.  Why wait till it is a seller's market and you have to fight other buyers to the best homes and often end up overpaying for the home just to get it.  Now you have a large inventory to choose from and you have the time to take your time looking at homes.

3)  Prices overall have stabilized and homes are more affordable than ever.

4)  There is a positive outlook in the real estate market.  2006 was the third best year on record for home sales and housing prospects are looking up for 2007.  Real estate is still the best investment for your money.

5)  Real estate is a great investment.  Homeownership is a safe place to invest your money and to build wealth.  The national median price of homes that were purchased 10 years ago have now increased 88%!  With the number of US households increasing every year, the demand for housing will continue to increase and so will your return on your investment.

6)  Now is a great time to buy a home.  Don't delay, call us today so we can meet to discuss your needs, budget and time line.

Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. Our services and experience range from helping you find a lender to helping you find the home that best suits you and your family.

For your convenience, we offer the following FREE services:

*** We provide listings by email, just join our VIB Program (Very Important Buyers)!  Receive an e-mail with a complete sweep of all the homes on the market that fit your home search criteria.  After that, you will receive daily e-mails of homes just listed on the market the very same day they come on the market plus receive homes that have recently reduced their price.  If any homes interest you, just call or e-mail us the addresses and we will schedule a time to show you the homes!  Always take advantage of having a trusted professional Realtor with you to see every home.  Just fill out the form at the bottom of this page for a customized search for your new home today. 

*** FREE home buying information on our web site at www.familytraditionhomes.com.  Our web based presentation 'What You Should Know Before Buying A Home' is a must for every home buyer.  Our number one goal with our web site is to provide buyers and sellers with the knowledge they need to buy or sell a home.  Just go to our home page and click on the link.

 

 

 

Let us find the perfect home for you! We have access to new homes as they hit the market, often prior to being found on the Internet. We pride ourselves on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why.  Please contact us if you have any questions about buying a home in the Green Bay area.  Please browse our web site for buyer and seller information, homes for sale, our listings, reports and important local Green Bay Wisconsin real estate information.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Julie holds the ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) professional designation and specializes in Buyer Agency.  An Accredited Buyer Representative has earned the professional designation after completing additional education and training and the required experience with working with buyers as a Buyer's Agent.  A Buyer's Agent is an agent who represents the buyer and looks out for the buyer's best interests during the home buying process.  A Buyer's Agent provides many additional services that benefit every home buyer.  Julie is an excellent Buyer's Agent.  Let her find your dream home!

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Julie holds the SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) professional designation and specializes in working with senior clients to help them make wise decisions about selling or buying their home or investment property, managing capital gains and estate tax implications, and other real estate related issues.  By earning the SRES professional designation, Julie has demonstrated that she has the requisite knowledge, experience and expertise to be a senior's real estate specialist.

Working for YOU, the Home Buyer!

What is a Buyer's Agent?

A Buyer's Agent is an agent that is working for you, the client.  A Buyer's Agent will be looking out for your best interests throughout the home buying process.  A Buyer's Agent will help you get the best price possible, will negotiate in your best interest and will assist you throughout the home buying process offering you valuable advice along the way. 

What is a Seller's Agent?

A Seller's Agent is an agent that is working for the seller and the buyer is the agents customer.  A Seller's Agent will be looking out for the Seller's best interests.  The Seller's best interests are to get the highest price possible and the best terms possible.  The Seller's Agent has many services to provide to the Seller, but does not have to provide these services to the buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buyer Agency:

What exactly is Buyer Agency?

Buyer Agency is a contract agreement between an agent and a buyer agreeing to an exclusive relationship.  The buyer agent owes the buyer a higher level of client services and the duty to loyally represent the buyer throughout the home buying process. 

What are the advantages of working with a Buyer's Agent?

There are so many advantages to a buyer to use Buyer Agency whether buying their first home or their fifth home. 

*  A Buyer's Agent can give an honest opinion of the home even if it is negative.  A Seller's Agent would not be able to do this because it would not be in the Sellers best interest.  A Buyer's Agent can tell you negative features of the home you should consider such as no basement, no garage, bad floor plan, bad location next to rental properties or commercial businesses, flood plain, close to highway or train noise, etc.

*  A Buyer's Agent can determine how much the home is worth and recommend an offering price to you.  A Seller's Agent will tell you the house is priced right and try to get the seller the asking price for the home.

*  A Buyer's Agent will help you structure your Offer with your best interests in mind.  A Seller's Agent will try to structure the Offer with the Sellers best interests in mind and you may not realize important contingencies you should include in the offer.

*  A Buyer's Agent will assist you with negotiating for the best price and terms and give you advice on what to do with Counter Offers.

*  A Buyer's Agent will provide you with additional information about the home found in public records or through research such as flood plain information, tax information, etc.

*  A Buyer's Agent will give you valuable advice every step of the way.

How does the Buyer's Agent get paid?

Here's the best part!  The Buyer's Agent gets paid a commission by the Seller.  If the Seller is not willing to pay the Buyer Agent's commission, you are notified of this before you even look at the home.  So, whether the agent is a Buyer's Agent or a Seller's Agent, they are paid the same way-from the Seller. 

If Buyer Agency does not cost me anything then why wouldn't everyone use a Buyer's Agent?

Knowledge is power.  Unfortunately many buyers are not aware of Buyer Agency.  Sometimes buyers start looking at homes by calling the agent whose name is on the yard sign.  This agent is not going to offer Buyer Agency services since he/she is already working for the Seller.  Sometimes buyers start looking at homes with an agent who is not the listing agent, but that agent does not specialize in Buyer Agency and does not offer the service to the buyer.  The buyer has to ask for Buyer Agency services, so pick up the phone and give us a call today if you are not represented by a Buyer's Agent right now.

I can have an agent represent me and I can get this for no cost?

Yes, you did read it correctly.  Call us today and we will explain it to you more and set up a meeting to sign up for the services.  It is very easy.

Sellers list their homes with real estate agents to assure professional representation throughout the home selling process.  As a Buyer, you deserve the same kind of service.  Ask for Buyer Agency services-You Deserve It!

As Your Buyers Agent We Will:

^  Loyally commit our time and effort in finding you the RIGHT home based on your needs.

^  Provide you the first opportunity to view homes and provide you daily with all the newest listings that come on the market.

^  Advise you on an offering price for the home.

^  Structure the Offer to Puchase with your best interests in mind.

^  Advise you on future resale of the home.  (Remember, eventually you will want to sell the home in the future.  We will advise you on appreciation factors such as location, condition of neighborhing homes, and any negative features of the home that will effect appreciation such as no basement, no garage, flood plain, number of bedrooms, location, schools, etc)

^  Provide you with an honest opinion of the home both postive and negative.

^  Provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis of the home to compare similar home sales in the area.

^  Assist you with negotiating from the Offer to Purchase to counter offers to amendments and home inspections.

^  Assist you beyond the MLS homes with homes not yet listed and for sale by owner homes.

^  Educate you on the home buying process and answer all your questions.

^  Give you advice and explain all the advantage and disadvantages.

^  Provide you with a list of recommendations for lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, tax advisors, etc.

^  Monitor all your contingency deadlines and remind you of what you need to do.

^  Put your interests ahead of the interests of all other parties in the transaction.

^  Research information and history of the property upon your request.

^  Provide a higher level of service and make your home buying experience a good one.

We will be your partner throughout the home buying process.  You can be confident that when you need our help or advice, we will be there for you.

First Time Home Buyers

If You're a First Time Home Buyer, You'll Find Everything You Want to Know Right Here!

Julie is a first time home buyer specialist who is devoted to helping buyers find a home quickly, easily and for the best price possible.  Julie's passion for real estate began with first time home buyers and is where she still focuses her real estate expertise. 

You will never be able to research everything there is to know about buying a home online or on your own.  But, by partnering with a Buyer's Agent, you will have a professional there to help you every step of the way.  Take advantage of the expert advice and let the Buyer's Agent educate you on the home buying process.  Buying your first home is one of the largest most important purchases you will ever make in your lifetime.  You can trust Julie to help you with these important decisions, complex contracts and legal issues.

Are you ready to buy your first home?

Then don't wait, call Julie today!  (920) 983-9913

Julie will be glad to schedule a meeting for a FREE no obligation Home Buyer Consultation.  Get the answers to all your questions and much much more!  Let's get together to talk about your home buying plans!  Call me at my office (920) 983-9913 or "Sell" phone (920) 676-0601 or send me an e-mail by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.  We'll set up a time to meet that is easy and convenient for you! 

The Home Buying Process

Step 1

Preapproval.  Before you start to look at homes, contact a lender and set up a meeting for a preapproval.  You will want to know how much home you can afford before you start looking at homes and you will want to allow yourself time to clear up any issues that may arise with your credit, etc.

Step 2

Choosing A Realtor.  Along with interviewing agents to choose who you want to work with, you will need to choose what type of agency you want to work under.  Seller Agency or Buyer Agency are your two choices.  When choosing an agent to be your Buyer's Agent make sure they have obtained the ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) professional designation and that they have the time to commit to you.  The most important thing you can do as a home buyer is work with a Buyer's Agent.  A Buyer's Agent can show you any homes on the market even if they are not listed by their company.

Step 3

Touring Homes.  You will want to schedule all home tours with your Buyer's Agent, but sometimes you may want to just do a drive by on your own to see if you like the location or you may want to attend some open houses.

Step 4

Offer to Purchase.  After looking at many homes you are bound to find that one house that it IT!  You will feel an overwhelming excitement about the house and may even start planning out where all your furniture items will go.  Once you determine that this is the house for you, you will need to sit down with your Buyer's Agent and draft an Offer to Purchase.  The Seller may accept your offer, counter your offer or reject your offer.  The end result hopefully is an accepted offer.

Step 5

Home Inspection.  As soon as your Offer is accepted you must get back to work with a few important things to do right away.  You will need to call a professional home inspector and schedule a date and time for the homes inspection.  Your Buyer's Agent can give you a list of home inspectors if you do not know of any and your Buyer's Agent will be at the home inspection with you.  It is highly recommended that you always get a professional home inspection performed on every home.

Step 6

Financing Commitment.  After scheduling your home inspection you will need to call your lender and inform him/her of your accepted Offer so he/she can get busy on preparing your loan package.  Your Buyer's Agent can fax the lender a copy of your accepted Offer to Purchase.  Your lender will order an appraisal of the home and will send the completed package to underwriting for approval.  Your loan may be approved or denied.  If approved, ask for a written letter of approval, review it and give a copy to your Buyer Agent.

Step 7

Notices.  Write down a list of all the services you currently have such as mail, newspaper, phone, internet, cable tv, water company, electric/gas company, etc. and start making phone calls to inform them of your new address and your move in date.  If you are renting, don't forget to check your lease agreement and give the proper notice to your landlord.  Some leases require a 30-60 day notice, so be sure to give your notice right away.

Step 8

Final Walk Through.  You are allowed to do a final walk through check on the home up to 3 days prior to closing.  It is best to find out when the Seller will be completely moved out of the home and schedule a final walk through for after they are moved out.  The purpose of the final walk through is to check on the homes condition and to make sure the Sellers or movers did not damage the home while moving out, to check to see if the Sellers left behind items that are included in the Offer to Purchase such as stove, refrigerator, light fixtures, ceiling fans, window treatments, etc. or that they did not leave unwanted items behind such as an old appliance that does not work and you will have to pay to have picked up by the garbage company.  This is also a good time to determine how much cleaning you will need to do before you move in and if there are any special cleaning items you may need to get for moving day.

Step 9

Closing.  Congratulations!  Closing day has finally arrived!  Arrive at your place of closing about 5-10 minutes early and bring along your drivers license and any funds needed at closing.  Sit back, relax, and oh yeah sign lots of papers.  Don't worry, all loan papers are standard and it is only expected that with such a large and important purchase that there should be a lot of paperwork involved to protect you and everyone else involved.  Once you are done signing all the paperwork, don't forget to get a key to the house and a copy of all the papers you just signed.

Step 10

Moving Day.  Plan. Plan. Plan.  Then plan some more.  The more planned out and prepared you are for the task of moving, the less stress you will have on moving day.  Make sure your cell phones batteries are fully charged.  You will be using them a lot calling back and forth to each other or you may find out your phone is not hooked up yet at the new house.  Inform all your helpers what time to arrive and have jobs assigned to them.  Plan on someone going to the new house to clean and someone staying behind to clean and pack the remaining things.  Plan for all your meals to be delivered so you don't have to waste time ordering or driving around town for food.  Have your list of service providers (the list that you wrote of all the services you had switched over to the new house such as the phone company, cable tv, etc.).  If you get to the new house and you are without a service, you will have the number and contact person handy so you can call and have it taken care of right away.  Everytime you feel exhausted just remember...You Have Obtained the American Dream and Now Own Your Own Home!

How I Can Help
Before you start looking
Closing Costs

As Your Agent, We Will:

• Assure that you see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria.
• Guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing.
• Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.

Before You Start Looking For Your New Home:

• Check your credit rating. Straighten out any errors before its too late.
• Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment.
• Find a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-approved.
• Choose a REALTOR® that you trust and who understands your needs.  We would love the opportunity to be your REALTOR®!
• Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs.
• Identify important features you need your new home to have.

Closing Costs to Expect:

• Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account.
• Third-party fees include charges for insurance, appraisals, title search, and other inspections such as termites.
• Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes.
• Escrow and interest fees include homeowner's insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.

Back to top...

Are you ready to get started on buying a home?  Just fill out the form below and we will be in contact with you soon!

• Privacy Policy
• Agent Login
• Site Map

Site by Z57 Inc.
Copyright © 2008 Diane Daul Wodzinski & Julie Loritz . All rights reserved.