What can you afford?

Need to know how much your note would be if you purchased that new home you have been wanting? Do you need to know how much house you can afford?  The links provided on this page will help to answer those questions.

http://www.mortgage-calc.com/
http://moneycentral.msn.com/loan/mortcalc.aspx

Get pre-approved:

Not many people can afford to pay for a home in cash so we need to find a loan that best suits you. This essentially means the best terms and the best rate. The pre-approval is NOT a final loan commitment but will demonstrate to potential sellers that you are qualified to purchase their property. Meeting with a loan officer face to face or over the phone will also help us to determine exactly how much home you can afford. We will be happy to refer you to one of our fantastic lenders if you do not have one. Once this is complete we can move to the next step:

Looking at homes!

With so many homes on the market in the Baton Rouge area, it is not a problem finding a home. However, finding the home that is best for you may prove to be a little tougher. As we are all different, it is imperative that we get a list of features and benefits that you are looking for in a home. List them all! Weigh out your options. If we find a home that fits your needs exactly…would you drive a little further to get to work? What will your needs be in the years to come? These are the types of questions that we'll help you to consider as we begin the search. You can begin your search here

Relocation Information - What to look for in your area 

We would love to help you with the transition.  While considering your options, take a look at some resources that may help you to prepare for your move. Or search here for your dream home! We also enthusiastically work with corporate relocation companies to help you sell your existing home if you've been or are being relocated through your employer. Our team meets all requirements from all local and national relocation companies that you may be required to use. Don't hesitate to give us a call to get the process started.

Curious about cost of living comparisons? Start by analyzing salaries between the 2 cities! For good old fashioned moving tips check here.

For a quick overview of some statistics on our city check out this link.  Or, visit our Chamber of Commerce to learn more about doing business, living, working, and recreation in Baton Rouge.

Please take a look at our links tab for information on schools, communities, Chamber of Commerce and many more resources.

Choose a home:

Choosing the home that best fits your needs can be tough. There are several fantastic homes in most all price ranges. If we've accurately determined your needs we shouldn't have to look at many homes before finding the one that best fits you. Once we've found the perfect home we'll be ready to make an offer.

Make an offer:

Much attention is given to making an offer. Your offer should include both price and terms of the sale. In some cases, terms can represent thousands of dollars in additional value for buyers -- or additional costs. Terms are extremely important and should be carefully reviewed. You often hear 'make lowball offers'. This may not always be the best option. We pay close attention to the supply and demand of our market. If this is your PERFECT home…would you sacrifice losing it to someone else over a small difference in price? It's our goal to get you the perfect house at the absolute best price. We'll help you with determining the best price to offer with consideration given to condition, demand, time on market, location, etc.

Have the home inspected:

A standard inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems as well as a mechanical inspection of the mechanical components of the property. An inspection can be liked to a physical exam by a physician; however, it should be clearly understood that an inspection is not to be confused with an appraisal, a building code inspection, a guarantee of any kind, and/or an insurance policy on the condition of the property. During an inspection, the inspector will review the readily accessible exposed portions of the structure of the home, including the roof, the attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, basement, and foundation as well as the heating/air conditioning systems, interior plumbing and electrical systems for potential problems. Property inspections are not intended to point out every small problem or any invisible or latent defect in a property. Most minor or cosmetic flaws, for example, should be apparent to the buyer without the aid of a professional.

Pre-closing

The hard part is done! Once we make it past the inspection there are only a couple of small hurdles left. (1.)Ensuring that you are financially sound enough to close the loan and (2.) Home appraisal.

Your lender will ensure that you are not only able to close, but to close in the specified time frame required. After the inspection is complete your lender will order the appraisal for your home to ensure that the value of your home reflects the sales price. Your lender will want to know that they aren't lending too much money for the home. If the appraisal does not equal or exceed the agreed upon sales price the seller will have the option to reduce the sales price to the appraised value or withdraw from the agreement to purchase and return your deposit (if negotiated as a condition of the purchase agreement). Our team will help to ensure that the home is not overpriced prior to presenting your offer. While we do encounter small issues with homes that are priced too close to the value, we work with all parties involved to get the deal DONE.

Once the appraisal is complete and the loan looks good we will schedule a pre-closing walkthrough. This walkthrough is the final step before closing. We want to make sure that no issues have came up with the home, no items were left by the seller, all agreed upon repairs have been completed to your satisfaction and the home is ready for you to move in!

CLOSING!!!

The closing will usually take place at a title attorneys office. Title attorneys work to ensure that your prospective home does not have any encumbrances on the title. Meaning, the title is clear and that you won't have any future problems with title of your new property. Title problems could and often do include liens, pending litigation, civil disputes, etc.

There is very little to do at the closing on your part. The settlement statement and all legal documents will have been prepared beforehand and will be reviewed with all parties present at the time of closing. It will take about an hour to review and sign all the necessary paperwork with the attorney. Lastly, you receive the keys to your new home!!!