At CENTURY 21 Beachside, where "it's all about you", our dedicated professionals will provide you with the most courteous and responsive service in the industry.
When representing you as a buyer, we pledge to:
1. Dedicate ourselves to making the process of buying your next home as easy and as successful as possible.
2. Respect you, your needs and be honest and forthright.
3. Hold your best interests in the highest regard throughout the process.
4. Value and respect your time, being as efficient and effective as possible.
5. Understand your needs and respond quickly.
6. Consult with you to determine your particular real estate wants and needs.
7. Use our base of experience, knowledge, tools and the most up-to-date training to best serve you.
8. Explain each step of the process and act as a guide to help you make the most informed decisions.
9. Disclose material facts known about the property and respond to questions concerning the property.
10. Help determine your purchasing power, while explaining alternative methods of purchasing and/or financing.
11. Provide an action plan for locating the right property, at the right price and terms, in an acceptable time frame.
12. To the best of our ability, continuously show you new properties that fit your needs.
13. Provide a Customized Home Search Plan for locating the right property for you, only showing you properties that will best meet your needs and in accordance with Fair Housing regulations and ethical real estate practices.
14. Use the most comprehensive database of listings in the area, to help you find the home that best meets your needs, whether that be the Multiple Listing Service and/or other methods.
15. Provide the resources of CENTURY21.com that offers thousands of listings, allowing you to easily review homes that are right for you, access in-depth information on neighborhoods, and additional information.
16. Use our knowledge and expertise to promote the most valuable purchase on your behalf. We will assist you in evaluating the market value of properties that are of interest to you and help you obtain the most advantageous price and terms.
17. Provide access to financing that meets your needs, at the lowest possible rates available to you.
18. Advise and assist you in completing your purchase agreement, and present your offer with integrity in a light most favorable to your needs.
19. Upon acceptance of an offer by you, pre-settlement (escrow) activities throughout the closing process will be monitored as permitted by law or local practice.
20. Offer to provide you with information regarding other professionals (e.g. attorneys, accountants, inspectors, contractors) that may assist you during and after your move.
21. Utilize the CENTURY 21 System of thousands of offices to provide you with the name of an office in the area of your new home, to assist you further.
Whether it's a first home, a vacation home or business property, we have the skills to find what you are looking for and provide you with all the information necessary to make you a knowledgeable buyer. Let us put our professionals to work for you.
The C21 Talk podcasts feature a series of shows
designed to answer all your real estate
questions in an entertaining, convenient format
that you can bring with you anywhere on your
favorite MP3 player. These informative shows are
available anytime and you can automatically
subscribe to listen to additional episodes to
learn about the entire real estate process!
Buying a home is an important step toward financial security. And with the right help, home buying is easier than you think.
Get professional tips on buying a home including what you should look for … how to negotiate a great deal … how to protect yourself along the way, and more.
Register today for My Century 21 to get access to home buying tools and information including:
View recent home sale prices in areas where you're looking
Research schools, demographics, and statistics for your dream neighborhood
Save a personal collection of favorite properties and property searches
Be the first to know when properties that match your criteria come on the market with automatic email alerts
Find your nearest CENTURY 21 real estate agent or broker to help you
Create and save virtual home plans to streamline your move-in and more!
Whether you're buying your first house, moving to a condo or searching for your dream home, CENTURY 21 Real Estate gives you tools to make buying a new home easier.
Market Analysis for Buying a New Home
Neighborhood Knowledge
Research everything about a neighborhood before buying a new home -- residents, nearby schools, and environmental statistics.
Property Search
Buying a new home is easier when you start your search online. Preview the ones that fit your criteria from our online library of hundreds of homes for sale.
Save Money for College
Get up to $3,000 back as college savings* when you buy or sell your home through a participating CENTURY 21® office.
Moving & Relocation
Home Planner
Not sure if that couch will fit? Plan the layout of each room in your new home before you move in
Moving Checklist
What's next after buying your new home? Moving in! Make it a smooth transition when you use this step-by-step list of important things to do.
Packing Tips
Reduce moving headaches and hassles by following these professional tips for packing big things, small things, and even awkward things such as plants, mirrors, and transporting pets.
At Home with CENTURY 21
After the move, get tips and ideas on remodeling, gardening, cooking, personal finance, and more. At CENTURY 21, real estate is about more than buying and selling. It's about helping people like you change their lives for the better.
Homebuyer's Guide From Dream to Reality with CENTURY 21®: On Your Way to Your First Home
Buying a home is one of the most important personal and financial decisions you'll ever make. That's why CENTURY 21 wants you to have this step-by-step guide to help you find and buy your first home. We're also here to answer your questions along the way. We want your first real estate experience to be both hassle-free and rewarding.
The following Guide explains the real estate process in plain English. What you're about to read is an overview of the procedures normally followed in a typical home purchase. Read on and see how finding and owning your dream home can be easier than you think with help from CENTURY 21.
Preparing to Find and Buy a Home
Knowledge Is Power ... Accurate Information Is Essential
Before you start looking for a home, become an educated consumer. Knowledge is power and misinformation gets in your way. First, learn about the process and requirements for buying a home. Common misconceptions include ? renting is always cheaper than buying ? you have to be a Permanent Resident of the United States to buy a home ? and you have to have a huge down payment to qualify for a mortgage.
Here are the facts. You only need a work permit to buy a house. And in some cases, the starter costs of renting may be about the same as a house down payment. As you start your search to find a home, keep informed. Talk with people who've gone through the home-buying process ... attend home-buying seminars ... and visit with knowledgeable real estate experts like those at your local CENTURY 21® Real Estate office. Find the office nearest you by visiting Century21.com, calling 1-800-4-HOUSES, or registering online at My Century 21.
Choosing Your Real Estate Professional
Deciding to find and buy a home is one of the most important decisions of your life. It combines your personal hopes and dreams with wanting what's best for you and your family. It means making changes. That's why it's in your best interest to choose an experienced real estate agent who listens to and understands your needs, and works in the area where you want to live. When you choose a CENTURY 21 Agent, you're dealing with an experienced professional who understands your concerns and will provide you with the personalized service that makes all the difference. CENTURY 21 is in 42 countries, 7,800 offices, 104 languages, and represented by 143,000 agents who understand the life changes that real estate decisions can bring. What should you expect in your first meeting with a real estate agent? A CENTURY 21 agent typically will talk to you about the neighborhood where you want to live, home prices, schools, transportation, and the surrounding commercial and residential areas. Before you find a home, your agent can also assist you in talking with a mortgage representative about getting a "mortgage pre-approval". It's helpful to get pre-approved before you find a home so you'll know how much money you have to spend. You also can calculate how much you can afford in monthly payments. CENTURY 21 has online financial calculators to help you.
Have a Financial Plan Before You Find a Home
You can reduce the stress of home buying by thinking ahead. Before you find a home you want to purchase, develop a financial plan. This plan becomes your guide not only for saving money for the down payment, but also for covering other expenses such as your credit check, mortgage application and closing costs. For more details about what to expect financially, ask your CENTURY 21 agent.
Establishing Credit
Having an established credit history plays an important role in the home buying process. It's never too soon to start building a good credit history. Start by diversifying how you pay for things; don't pay for everything with cash. Pay your bills on time, limit your debt, reduce the number of credit cards you have, and use them responsibly. Your goal is to show that you are financially responsible and a "good credit risk."
It's also important to review your credit report. This is a record of past and current debt that states when, how and if you paid. Make sure that the information contained in your credit report is accurate. By reviewing your credit report now, you'll have the opportunity to correct any errors. Your CENTURY 21® Agent can help you get a copy of your credit report to review. Don't wait until you've found a home to do this. Do it now.
Why is this so important? Your credit history is one of the documents that give the mortgage lender confidence in you. The better your credit history, the better your credit score. And the higher your credit score, the more likely your mortgage lender will offer you more mortgage options with better terms.
You're smart to think ahead. The best approach to buying a home with few financial surprises is to learn how homes are financed, find out how and where to get financial assistance, and understand all the costs involved in addition to the cost of the house. What follows is a brief explanation of (1) Mortgage Pre-approval, (2) Down Payment, (3) Mortgage Options, and (4) Closing Costs.
(1) Mortgage Pre-approval
A pre-approval is a simple calculation done by a mortgage lender that tells you (a) the amount you'll be able to finance through a loan and (b) what your monthly payment will be. When you find a home to buy, a pre-approval also reassures the seller that you have the financial means to purchase his or her home. Contact your CENTURY 21 Agent for help in getting a mortgage pre-approval.
Once you know the amount the bank will lend you, the next step is to determine how much to save for your down payment. This will help you define the types of homes within your budget. Keep in mind the monthly costs associated with home ownership include not only your mortgage payment, but also real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance and utilities.
You may not realize it but when it comes to getting mortgage financing, you have options. Which one's right for you? Visit Century21.com for help figuring out how much you can afford. You can also use our CENTURY 21® Mortgage Calculator. And your CENTURY 21 agent is happy to help you make sense of both the financing process and your financing options.
(2) Your Down Payment
A down payment is the money you pay up front toward the purchase of your new home. Typically, the larger your down payment, the less you pay each month on the mortgage, and the lower the interest costs will be over the life of the mortgage.
How large should your down payment be? Many people make down payments of 5%, 10% or 20% of the sales prices of the homes they buy. There are also loans available for buyers with down payments of under 5%. However, the right percentage for you depends on many factors. Talk to a CENTURY 21 Mortgage Professional to learn more about your mortgage options and which is the right fit for you.
(3) Your Mortgage
Your options for financing the home you find depend on your personal financial situation and your unique needs. Check with a CENTURY 21® agent for guidance about contacting mortgage lenders and getting a Mortgage Pre-approval. This will help you gauge how much you can afford to spend on a home and the financing options available to you. Here's an overview of typical financing options available:
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM): This is a mortgage in which the interest rate is tied to a specific economic index and may adjust at specific times. Overall, your monthly payment may go up or down at intervals specified in the disclosure associated with this type of mortgage, depending on the current interest rate.
Fixed Rate Mortgage (FRM): This is a mortgage with an interest rate that does not change during the entire term of the loan. This means the monthly payments for principal and interest are also fixed for the life of the loan.
Conventional Mortgage: This is mortgage that is not part of a government-housing program, typically has a limit of $322,700, and is not insured by the federal government.
Jumbo Mortgage: This is a mortgage that typically exceeds $322,700 and is not insured by the federal government. These loans usually have higher interest rates.
Government Backed Loans: There are two types of government-backed loans -- FHA and VA. FHA loans are insured by HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the United States) and VA loans are insured by the Veterans Administration.
(4) Closing and Other Additional Costs
After you find a home and receive mortgage approval, the closing is when ownership of your new home officially transfers from the seller to you. In some cases, sellers pay the closing costs. If not, you need to be prepared to pay this additional cost. This can add another two to five percent to the home purchase price. These costs also can vary from state to state. For specifics, ask your CENTURY 21® agent. Other additional costs may include:
Good faith deposit: This deposit reassures the sellers you are genuinely interested in buying their home and are willing to make them an offer. A good faith deposit can vary between 1% and 10% of sales price depending on the market and can be applied to the down payment.
Mortgage application and credit report fees.
Finding A Home Your Search
Where do you start when you're ready to find a home? Find the CENTURY 21 office nearest you by visiting Century21.com, calling 1-800-4-HOUSES, or registering online at My Century 21. Narrowing your home search based on how much you can afford is one factor.
You'll want to have an idea of the features you
"want" versus "need" in a home to help your
CENTURY 21 agent guide you in a successful home
search. Then the fun begins! Your CENTURY 21
agent will provide you with information on
houses for sale and take you to visit the ones
that interest you. You'll have the chance to
discuss the pros and cons of each house with
someone who has real estate knowledge and
experience. And don't be afraid to ask
questions. Remember, one of these houses you
visit could be your future home and a major
financial investment.
Throughout the process, your CENTURY 21 Agent will help you fine tune your search criteria to find the home of your dreams. As part of the search, you'll probably visit "Open Houses." Visiting an open house includes personally touring a house that's for sale to get a first-hand view of the home and property. You may want to visit open houses on your own or with your CENTURY 21 Agent. Either way, it's a chance to get a better feel for the market, neighborhood, and styles of homes available.
With each house you tour, ask yourself these questions:
What features are most important to me? Number of bedrooms? Number of bathrooms?
Does it have special features like a garden, a fireplace, a yard or a garage?
Do I want a newly constructed house or a house that has been lived in before?
Is it most important that the house be near a specific school, my job, or public transportation?
What is the school district like?
Are there kids in the neighborhood who are the same age as my own?
Does this house need a lot of repairs?
Making An Offer
When you find a home you want to buy, you'll make the seller an offer in writing. Your offer is typically the first step toward negotiating a sales contract. That's why determining how much to offer is more complex than simply determining a price. Because of the large amount of money involved, both the buyer and the seller need to protect their investments and limit their risk. This is why when you make an offer, you not only specify the price you are willing to pay, but also the other details of the purchase such as:
How you intend to finance the home
Amount of the down payment
Who pays the closing costs
What inspections will be performed
Whether or not personal property is included
in the purchase
Terms of cancellation
Any repairs you want done
Date you will take physical ownership and
possession of the property
How to settle disputes should they occur
Contingencies:
Contingencies generally allow you to anticipate
potential problems so if something goes wrong,
you can cancel the contract without penalty. If
you cancel a contract without having agreed upon
conditions and contingencies, you could find
yourself forfeiting your good faith deposit and
money spent to inspect the property, as well as
other damages. For this reason, it's recommended
you retain an attorney. Your attorney will
advise you about what to include in your offer
to protect yourself.
Before making an offer, thoroughly evaluate the
property (including but not limited to the
following):
Property Conditions
Your CENTURY 21® agent can tell you how the
property compares with the rest of the
neighborhood.
Home Improvements
Take note of what the previous owners have
done to the house to determine if these
improvements warrant the asking price and/or
were done correctly.
Market Conditions
If the market is "hot," it's often
considered a "seller's market." This may
give you, the buyer, less room to negotiate
your ideal price because there may be other
people willing to pay more for the home.
If the market is "slow," then it's
considered a "buyer's market." In times like
these, houses often sit for longer periods
of time without receiving acceptable offers.
When reasonable offers do come in, sellers
may be more willing to negotiate.
Seller Motivation
If an individual needs to sell quickly due
to his or her personal situation, he or she
may be more willing to negotiate.
Once you find a home and submit your offer,
you then wait for the seller's response. The
seller can accept, reject or counter your
offer with one for a higher amount. This
begins the process of price negotiation that
continues until both parties either agree on
a price or decide to go their separate ways.
Your Good Faith Deposit
Along with your offer, you'll provide a "good
faith" deposit that demonstrates to the seller
your serious interest in buying. This is one of
the additional costs mentioned earlier. This
money is deposited only once the offer has been
negotiated and accepted by both parties.
The Home Inspection
After you find a home and make an offer, a house
inspection is often ordered. The seller should
have the property available for inspection by a
professional.
In a typical inspection, experts examine the
existing conditions of the property. Inspections
may be required by law with the elements
inspected varying by region, state, and/or your
agreement.
The most common type is the General Home
Inspection. A home inspector can provide you
with a complete service that covers from the
basement to the attic, as well as the exterior
of the home, walls, chimneys, and fixed
appliances such as refrigerators and stoves.
Other specific elements that can be included:
(not a complete list)
Termite inspection
Plumbing
Water Quality
Lead
Radon
Septic Tank
Asbestos
Electricity
Indispensable Insurance
Before a mortgage company will approve your
lending arrangement and allow you to close on
your new home, they will typically ask you to
show proof of title, title insurance, and
homeowner's insurance. Your CENTURY 21 agent or
your mortgage representative can explain the
details. Your real estate attorney can also
provide counsel on title issues and title
insurance.
The Final Walk-Though
Before the closing and property ownership is
transferred, you and your CENTURY 21 agent will
want to visit your future house. This
"walk-through" is an opportunity to ensure that
the house has been left in the expected
condition.
You should make sure that all the items the
owner agreed to leave are still there, such as
kitchen appliances. This may also include
furniture and accessories listed in the final
sales contract. If there are problems, discuss
them with your CENTURY 21 agent and attorney. In
some cases, you can ask for a discount or credit
at the closing to cover missing items or
last-minute damages to the property.
The Closing
To be knowledgeable and prepared, ask your
CENTURY 21 agent and attorney to go over the
details of the closing with you beforehand. The
closing process can vary by area of the country
and even within the same state.
Generally, the seller is required to provide
clean title to the property at closing. Your
CENTURY 21 agent, mortgage lender
representative, and real estate attorney/legal
counsel can help you make sure all documents are
provided and steps followed.
Making a House Your Own
Now that you found your
dream property, it is time to make your house a
home. Visit
Dream, Discover, Do
and find a whole range of products and services
to help with your home remodelling , gardening
and decorating needs.
Making Your Dream a Reality!
Finding and buying a new home should be a
rewarding experience. At CENTURY 21, we know the
search for your dream home is about more than
just putting a roof over your head. It's an
expression of your hopes and dreams, your
lifestyle and values. It's a place to spend time
with family and friends, as well as your
personal retreat at the end of your day. It's
about making changes for your future. CENTURY
21® agents are agents of change .. in 42
countries, 104 languages, 7,800 offices, 143,000
strong. We help transform dreams into reality.
Visit
Century21.com,
call 1-800-4-HOUSES or register at My Century 21
to find a CENTURY 21 agent in your neighborhood.
Help You Get Pre-Qualified
This step will show you how much you can afford.
This is accomplished by speaking with your
financial institution and establishing what
monthly payments you will be comfortable with.
Home Shopping We will use
every available method to locate a property that
matches your search parameters. This will
include properties listed with our office,
offered through other real estate companies, as
well as unlisted properties. We will
disclose all known facts about the property that
are likely to affect your decision. When we find
the home that meets your criteria, we will
assist you in writing an offer and act as a
liaison between you and the seller.
1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange
Are You A Savvy Investor?
If you want to be a successful real estate investor, you must become familiar with Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Otherwise you may be losing money with every transaction you make.
A tax deferred exchange is simply a process in which a property owner trades one property for another without having to pay any federal taxes on the transaction. Ordinarily, a property owner is taxed on any gain by the sale of a property, but in an exchange the tax is deferred until some time in the future. A property owner simply disposes of one property and acquires another, but this transaction must fulfill specific requirements and be structured in a way that it is in fact an exchange, not a taxable sale of one and a purchase of another.
At Beachside Real Estate, half of our transactions each year are 1031 tax-free exchanges. We handle these exchanges on a daily basis and are eager to explain how this investment opportunity could benefit you.
To enhance your buying experience, it’s our job
as real estate professionals to provide you with
as much valuable information as possible. It is
essential that the buyer or seller be aware of
all aspects of the real estate market before
making a major decision. Whether it be through
newsletters, checklists or news articles, we are
here to make this process stress-free and
rewarding.
