At ERA Muske Company Real Estate, we don't think of a house as just a piece of property. We see it as your home, the center of your family's life, the very special place where your children grow up, where you welcome your neighbors and friends, where your dreams come to life.

We understand what a sensitive, emotionally charged process the buying or selling of a home can be. We know that it involves one of the biggest commitments a family can make. That is why ERA® professionals are totally committed to providing whatever it takes to help you through the process, to keep you well informed, and to make sure you have the right answers to the many questions that inevitably arise during any real estate transaction.

What are the advantages of using a real estate professional to help me buy a home?

Buying a home is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences most of us ever have; it's also one of the most challenging. If you're buying for the first time, the process may seem overwhelming. And even if you've been through it several times, every move is different and presents new challenges.

One clear advantage of enlisting the help of a sales professional is simply that you don't have to go through it alone. A good sales professional has the background and skills to help you through each step of the process, and make the experience of finding, buying and moving into your new home as smooth, quick and enjoyable as it can be. Another advantage is that a sales professional represents a valuable source of information about market trends; communities and neighborhoods; and especially homes for sale throughout the area.

Where do I begin the process of looking for a home?

The first thing you should do is to begin focusing on what you're looking for in a home. You can start by establishing priorities in the following three areas:

• Location:  Are you relocating to a new town because of a new job or to be closer to your current job? How will the location of schools, shops, and transportation affect your choice of neighborhood?
• Personal Tastes: How large of a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? What type of lot do you prefer? Depending on where you move to, you may have a choice of homes in dozens of styles, sizes, and settings. 
• Budget: How much home can you comfortably afford?

As you consider these issues, do a little research of your own. Look through magazines for ideas about home styles and features. Drive through neighborhoods that appeal to you to see what's available. Read the real estate listings in the newspaper to learn about current prices in the areas you're considering. Talk to friends about the features that you'd really like to have in your home. The more knowledgeable you become, the better your final decision is likely to be.

Qualifying for a Mortgage

Most real estate professionals and mortgage lenders recommend pre-qualifying for a loan before selecting a home to purchase. This process will help you:

·        Determine the price range you can afford.

·        Understand the types of loans you qualify for

·        Determine what your monthly payment will be.

·        Estimate the down payment and closing costs.

Your ERA Muske Company agent will have connections to one or more highly-qualified mortgage professionals to help you with this critical step in the process.

When I start visiting homes, what should I be looking for the first time through?

The house you ultimately choose to call home will play a major role in your family's life A home can be an excellent investment, but more importantly, it should fit the way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to everyone in the family.

As you look at each home, consider these important factors:

n      Is there enough room for you now and in the near future?

n      Is the home's floor plan right for your family?

n      Is there enough storage space?

n      Will you have to replace the appliances?

n     Is the yard the size that you want?

n     Are there enough bathrooms?

n      How much maintenance and/or decorating will you need to do right away? Later?

n     Will your present furniture work in this home?

When I've found the home I like, how do I make an offer?

When you've found a special house you want to call home, you'll probably feel excited and a bit nervous. Let the sales professional know you're ready to write an "offer to purchase" — a written document that declares how much you are willing to pay for the home provided that certain conditions are met.

Your offer should have a time limit for the seller to accept it, reject it, or make a counter-offer. If a counter-offer is made, you will have some time to respond. Often, several offers go back and forth until an offer is accepted, or one party decides to end negotiations.

How do I determine the amount of my initial offer?

There is really no rule to use in calculating an initial offer. Naturally, the buyer wants the best value and the seller want the best price, but negotiations can be influenced by many factors, such as a seller who may be changing jobs and wants to sell quickly, or a buyer who is set on a specific home.

After you've looked at the home's features, asked questions, checked comparables, and talked about it with your sales professional, you should have a good idea of what the home's value is in the current market. Consider what you can afford, and make an offer that you consider to be fair.

What is "earnest money" and how much do I need?

When you sign an offer to purchase, your sales professional will ask you for "earnest money." This refers to a monetary commitment that shows you are serious about wanting to buy.

This money will be held in a special escrow account. If your offer is accepted, your earnest money will be included as part of your down payment. If your offer is not accepted, you'll get back all your earnest money. But keep in mind that if you back out, you may forfeit the full amount.

There's so much to remember before I close. What do I have to do?

Your sales professional can help you with many of these considerations:

n      Are all the necessary inspections complete?

n      Are all the required repairs complete?

n      When will you conduct your final walk-through inspection?

n      Is the title examiner satisfied that title to the property is clear (no one else has a claim on it)?

n      Have you confirmed a date, time, and place for your closing?

n      Who will conduct the closing?

n      Is your insurance policy paid and ready to go into effect the day you close? You'll need a receipt for proof.

n      What form of check should you use (and who should it be made out to) to pay for the closing costs?

n      Has your closing sales professional told you the closing amount?

n      Bring your checkbook to cover any last-minute extras that might have been overlooked.

What will happen on closing day? 

The lender's agent will ask for your paid home insurance policy.

The agent will list the adjustments. These include the money you owe the seller (the remainder of the down payment; prepaid taxes) and what the seller owes you (unpaid taxes; prepaid rent).

You will sign the mortgage. This gives the lender legal rights to the property if you don't make your payments.

You will sign the mortgage note (the promise to repay the loan in regular monthly payments).

You will get title from the seller in the form of a abstract of title or owners title insurance policy.

The lender's agent will collect the closing costs from you and give you a settlement statement of all the items you have paid for.

The deed and mortgage will be recorded in the county Registry of Deeds.