Buying a home is an exciting adventure.  In your mind, you know just what your home is going to look like, the great meals you are going to make in your new kitchen and all the fun your family is going to have in the backyard!

But...did you know that in the state of Texas all real estate agents represent the seller unless the buyer has signed a Buyers Representation Agreement with his or her agent.  A buyer must hire an agent to represent him/her or that agent will always have the obligation to look out for the seller's best interest.

Please make sure that you get pre-approved for a loan before you head out to find your home.  Why should you do this?  There have been so many regulation changes over the last couple of years that it can be challenging for even those buyers with excellent credit scores to get a loan.  Getting pre-approved isn't hard and if you need a referral, visit the local lender page to find a lender to call.

Find one agent that you can trust to work with and use that agent.  One of the biggest myths in real estate is that a buyer can save on commission by using the seller's agent.  Please know that the commission is agreed upon in writing between the seller and his/her agent before the home is put on the market.  So, if you use the selling (listing) agent to write the contract these two things will generally happen:

1. That agent will get the entire commission.  It will not be cut or discounted back to the seller just because you used the seller's agent.
2. You will not be represented and the agent will be working to get the highest and best price for the seller not the lowest price for you.   It is what the seller's agent is obligated to do.

What is a home warranty? 

Basically, it is like an insurance policy on the things that could go wrong after you have bought you new home.  It will protect you from unexpected and possibly expensive repairs. 

Do I have to pay for it?

That's the great thing!  When negotiating your purchase, ask your agent to include a home warranty and ask the seller to pay for it.

What if the seller won't pay for one?

I've actually never had a seller refuse to pay, but if the seller decides not to pay for a home warranty, the cost is only $375 for one year.

What kink of coverage is included?

1. undetectable pre-existing conditions
2. 13 SEER/410A modifications
3. failure due to lack of maintenance
4. failure due to rust and corrosion
5. garage door opener
6. ceiling fans
7. plumbing pipe leaks
8. toilets
9. ductwork
10. water heaters...and so much more!

As you can see there are many benefits to have a home warranty.  For more information, please give me a call at (940) 445-0006!

The process of applying for a loan is not difficult, but it can be time consuming. When you find the lender you want to work with, set up an appointment to meet with the loan officer who will be helping you get your loan.   To help speed the application  process along, here are the beginning items you should bring with you to your appointment:

• Paycheck stubs to cover the last 30 days
• 2010 and 2011 W-2's
• 2010 and 2011 tax returns
• previous 2 months bank statements (including checking, savings, IRA, stock accounts, etc.)
• copy of driver's license and social security number