Jennifer
- (206)919-9966
- JClukey@windermere.com
Mike
- (206)947-9085
- MikeElliott@windermere.com
Buying a Home
Jennifer Clukey & Mike Elliott
Buying a Home
The Buying Process
Assemble Your Team
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| Meet with your Realtor. Your goals are important to us. We'll come up with a game plan to get you into a great property. |
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| Get pre-approved for a loan. Make sure your financing is in order so when you find that perfect home, you'll be ready. |
Find the Right Home
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| Search for homes. We'll send you properties that meet your criteria as soon as they come on the market. Then we'll tour ones that interest you. |
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| Make an offer. When you find "The One" we'll walk you through the offer process. |
Get Into Contract
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| Reach mutual acceptance. AKA your offer was accepted. |
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| Send earnest money to escrow. Make sure your money is accessible- you'll need to send a check or wire to escrow right away. |
Do a Home Inspection
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| Hire an inspector. The inspector will thoroughly investigate the condition of the home. If the house is on sewer (not septic), consider a sewer scope as well. |
$ | Payment due for inspection. |
Finalize Loan
+ | Lender orders appraisal. |
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| Final document approval. Send any final documentation required to the lender so they can finalize your loan. |
Sign Loan Documents
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| Sign all final paperwork. A few days before your official closing, sign all the final paperwork at the escrow company. |
$ | Down payment and closing costs due. |
Purchase Complete!
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| Close and record. Once the property documents are officially recorded with the county, your purchase is complete! |
 | Get keys and celebrate! Congratulations, you're a homeowner! |
The Buying Process
Dollars & Sense
When you need to have money available- and how much.
Dollars & Sense
When you need to have money available- and how much.
Terms to Know
Translating real estate jargon.
Often confused with inspection. The appraisal is a report ordered by the lender to verify market value.
The final step in a property purchase where the title is transferred from the seller to the buyer. At closing the seller receives payment for the property.
A combination of loan fees, down payment, prepaid taxes and insurance as required by the lender.
A condition in the contract that must be fulfilled prior to closing.
Buyer deposits money with escrow at mutual acceptance to show “good faith.” The money is applied to the purchase price at closing, provided all the terms of the contract are met.
A neutral 3rd party following the instructions laid out in the contract. They collect and distribute all funds and handle recording deeds at closing.
Done to determine if the house is in the condition it was believed to be in at the time of purchase.
When buyer and seller have both agreed upon the terms of the contract and the contract is signed by all parties.
Putting together a written contract and presenting it to the seller.
Escrow sends the property deed to the county where it becomes a part of the official public record. This signifies that ownership has been transferred to the buyer.
A document prepared by escrow that lists all charges and credits to the buyer at closing.
If the home is on sewer (not septic) it is common to scope the sewer line to make sure it functions properly, usually completed at the same time as the home inspection.
Insurance protecting the owner or mortgagee of real estate from lawsuits arising from a defective title.
A Note From Jen
Imagine sitting down to enjoy the first freshly-brewed cup of coffee in your new home. What do you see when you look out the window? Do you picture a clear morning with Mount Rainier in the distance? A bustling street in Queen Anne? Or maybe you’re looking out on that big backyard you know the kids/grandkids/dog will love.
Whatever you see for your future, my job is to help you get there. Your new home will be the place you wake up in, the place you come home to as a sanctuary from the outside world, and a place to share with family and friends. As your agent, I am keenly aware the house is also an investment and financial commitment.
There are many logical things to consider when purchasing a home and I have the tools to make sure you accomplish your financial goals. Once that’s covered, I turn it back over to you to explore how you feel about each home we tour. Finding a perfect match often requires using your senses beyond the facts and finances. This home purchase will be a combination of logic and guided intuition to make sure you find your happy place. Let’s go... ~Jen
How I can help:
Market Statistics
Know the market stats for the community where you're looking to buy. They will determine if you can negotiate heavily or if the win is getting the home.
