Sometimes the Unexpected Hits You from Behind! A wedding, a new job, a new baby, a change in lifestyle — lots of things can suddenly make moving a reality. I know that buying a Bucks County home, Newtown home or Northampton home is more than just a business deal, it involves making critical, sometimes emotional decisions about one of the most important investments you'll ever make. Firm answers, dependable solutions and knowledge from a professional you can trust will help make the transition a smooth one. Take the first step toward realizing your goals — contact me today for all your real estate needs.

1. Contrary to what many people think, your search for a Bucks County home, Newtown home or Northampton home does NOT start with looking at houses, it begins with getting your financing squared away! Mortgage calculators are great, but they don't replace a consultation with a mortgage expert. Before you do anything, talk to a mortgage broker and get yourself pre-approved for a mortgage. Oftentimes, the mortgage payment you are qualified for and the one you are comfortable with are two different things! This process will help us identify the proper price range, insure that you're comfortable with the fniancing aspect of the home buying process before you're in the middle of it, and demonstrate to sellers that you are capable of purchasing their home.
   1. I strongly suggest you talk with team member Tom Fullen at Trident Mortgage. He can be reached at 215-860-3237 or Tom.Fullen@prufoxroach.com. Even if you've talked with another loan officer, Tom can provide you with a second opinion so that you can compare rates and closing costs. This is free service I offer to all my clients and I hope you'll take advantage of it.
2. Hire the right REALTOR®!
   1. For most people, their home is their largest single asset. Make sure the agent you choose is worthy of your trust by asking the right questions.
   2. Familiarize yourself with the Rules of Agency in Pennsylvania to ensure your best interests are being protected.
   3. Ask for references - and call them!
3. Make sure you understand the home buying process from start to finish and avoid some common mistakes many buyers make.
4. Define your search parameters.
   1. How far are you willing to commute to work? Compare school districts, tour towns and neighborhoods, and determine the general vicinity you'd like to focus on.
   2. Prioritize your "wish list" of features and share it with your agent. Be sure to do it together if there's more than one decision maker involved — a lot of time and stress can be eliminated when everyone who has input is on the same page. Flexibility is key, especially when working in more moderate price ranges. Be realistic, as the absolutely "perfect home" may not exist — unless of course, you have unlimited funds!
   3. Once you've narrowed the field within manageable parameters, your agent should be sending you email updates every time a new listing hits the market that meets your search criteria. This will insure that you're staying on top of what's available in the market, without being innundated with properties that aren't suitable.
5. Understand the Bucks County housing market — it's different than all the media hype. Just as there's no national weather forecast, there's no national real estate market — conditions vary by region and locality. Look at recent sales history in the area you're focusing on. Your agent should be able to help educate you about the local market and how it impacts your buying strategy.
6. When you find the right property, your agent will advise you on how to best structure your offer.
   1. This is where the experience of the agent is key, as there are many factors to consider...is it a buyers or sellers market? Is there any other interest? How long as it been on the market? What's the seller's motivation and aspects are most important to them? Does a sale and subsequent purchase need to be coordinated for either party?
   2. A market analysis should be done for the property to determine a realistic sale price and in order to eliminate potential appraisal problems down the road.
   3. You should be provided with a Sellers Property Disclosure Statement, which must be reviewed prior to submitting an Agreement of Sale (A/S). There are also several contigencies built in to the A/S to allow for inspections, mortgage and other issues that may arise.
7. Once your offer is accepted...
   1. All contingencies must be completed within the time frame outlined in the A/S. Your agent should be overseeing this process and attending to all the details.
   2. Make sure title and property insurance has been ordered and in place and utility accounts established in your name.
   3. Ask for a copy of your final closing costs prior to settlement to insure accuracy and to be sure you bring the proper amount.
   4. A pre-settlement walk-through should be conducted the day before (or of) settlement to insure that the property is in the same condition as when you submitted your offer.
8. Congratulations! You just bought yourself a home!!!