Buyer Guide

 

We understand that buying a home can be an intimidating and stressful experience, even for the most seasoned home buyer. Let us help you make the process as easy and stress free as possible! Our high-quality homes built by exceptional craftsman, coupled with an outstanding sales team will make your experience an enjoyable one. From finding you the perfect home, to working with your builder through the building process, to all of the details of the home buying transaction, we are here to guide you. If at anytime during the entire process you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Customer service is extremely important to us, and you are our number one priority. If you are happy, we are happy.

Analysis of Your Needs

One of the most important aspects in the home buying process is to establish what your needs are. Our real estate agents will work with you to determine what you want and need, and help will you find the home that best suits those needs. Even if you want to explore your options in other neighborhoods besides Cane Creek and want to look around the area, our agents are here to help. 

In addition to being provided with superior customer service, there are many variables to be considered while buying a home and you may have many questions. For example:

How big do I need my house to be?
How much house payment can I afford?
Is it really hard to get a loan?
What kind of insurance do I need?
How long does it take to build a house?
Do I have choices on what items are in my home?
Should I get a home inspection?
Will my new home come with a warranty?
How do I find a lender?
What does the home building process consist of?
What does the home buying process consist of?

These questions are normal, but here is the good news! All of our agents are licensed and experienced in selling new homes. We are here to answer all of your questions, and we are here to guide you through the entire process.

Home Loans and Financing

Not only is it important to know what home you can afford, but also how much those monthly payments are going to be. Whether you choose one of the lenders we recommend or you have your own, meeting with your lender before you search for your home is a great way to start. Getting advice from a lender before you make your final decision on which home you buy will enable you to make an informed decision about your mortgage options. Additionally, being pre-approved for a loan strengthens your negotiating power when you find the home of your choice.  When reviewing your offer, the seller will see that you have gone through a financial “background check,” ensuring that there will be no surprises in your ability to purchase their home. Our agents are comfortable working with your lender, but don’t worry if you do not have one yet. We are more than happy to refer you to several reputable lenders that have provided exceptional service to past clients.

Need Information About the Area?

Your real estate agent will help you to find information about the communities and areas where your new home may be located.  Tell your agent what is important to you. For example, are area schools and the distance to your place of work more important, or do you want to be close to shopping areas and medical facilities? Are you an outdoorsman, or do you play golf? If so, ask your agent to find out information about recreational facilities, parks, lakes, and golf courses. Let your agent know what your needs are. They are here to help you in any way that they can.

Looking For Your New Home

If you are interested in looking at other homes in the area, ask one of our agents to help. Because all of our agents are licensed, they can show you any home on the market. They can even do an internet search for you and provide you with a list of available homes for your review. This can be done by email, or you can come to our office and meet with one of our agents in person.  You are also encouraged to visit our website
www.castlecreekrealestate.com and use the home search feature in the comfort of your own home.  Once you find homes that interest you, you can arrange to view those homes with one of our agents.  

Building a House and Meeting With the Builder

If you are interested in having a house built for you, then we suggest looking at floor plans and choosing a builder that best reflects your style and tastes. Once you have determined which floor plan and style you like, then you can ask for a meeting with the builder of your choice. All of our builders are very approachable, and they welcome meetings with prospective clients. At the meeting, you can ask the builder questions about floor plans, pricing, and customizations that you want in your home.  When you make your decision about which floor plan you want to build, and which builder you would like to use, then it is time to make an offer!

Making an Offer

Whether you have found an existing house or a newly constructed home, our agents will help you determine how to proceed with the offer. Don’t forget that we are here to guide you through the process every step of the way. The agent you are working with can help you with the offer price, explain to you all of the terms and finer points contained in the standard North Carolina Offer To Purchase And Contract, and help you made the right decisions through the entire transaction. If you are working with a builder, most likely you will have determined through your meetings what price the house will be, including any upgrades and customizations that you want in your home. If you are purchasing an existing home, some of the items that are negotiable are: price, earnest money, financing, closing costs, closing date, inspection and repair items, appliances, and more.

Negotiating an Offer

Your real estate agent will submit your offer to the seller or their agent.  The seller can accept your offer, reject it, or make a counter offer back to you.  This is where you and your real estate agent need to stay in close contact in order to review the seller’s response, and take action in a timely manner.  Often the process requires both parties to make compromises, with the ultimate goal being that all parties to agree on all the terms.