Home Buying Guide




Choosing an Agent

Of all the decisions you'll face when buying a home, there's none more important than the person you choose to represent you.

The job of your Realtor® is to support you in finding the right home with the best possible terms, and to aid you through the entire process. Your Realtor® will explain the process of buying a home, and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures that you will experience throughout the transaction.

Tips For Selecting an Agent

Your Real Estate Professional should be:
  • Knowledgeable about the communities of interest to you.
  • Aware of the complicated requirements affecting your transaction.
  • Effective in multi-party, face-to-face negotiations.
  • Highly-trained, with access to programs for continued learning and additional certifications.
  • Technology-focused.
  • Supported by professional legal counsel.

Financing

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.

The Loan Process

Your Realtor® will help you to select a mortgage lender. Once you have made your decision, these are the steps of the process:

Application - All pertinent documentation is obtained. Fees and down payments are discussed.

You will be asked to provide certain documents to your lender in order that your loan can be processed in a timely manner.

Loan Submission - Once all the necessary documentation is in, your completed file is submitted to a lender for approval.

Loan Approval (Underwriting) - Loan approval, or underwriting, generally takes 24 to 72 hours. All parties are notified of the approval and any loan conditions that must be received before the loan can close.

Closing - Once all parties have signed the loan documents, they are returned to the lender. If all the forms have been properly executed, the borrower finishes the loan process and actually buys the house.


Finding and Choosing the Right Home

Based on criteria that you and your Sales Associate establish together, your Associate will help you find the perfect home. There are many factors to consider in selecting a property, including location, bedroom and bath count, schools and amenities.

Your Sales Associate will apply their extensive community knowledge and professional resources to research available properties, and show you the homes that best meet your needs. If you find a property that interests you through the Internet or your own research, let your Sales Associate know so that a showing can be arranged.

As you view different properties, your criteria may change. Open and direct communication with your Sales Associate is a key element of a successful property search.


Making an Offer

Once you have found the home that you wish to purchase, your Realtor® will apply their professional training and do all the necessary research to help you structure an effective offer.

This is where your Realtor®'s negotiation skills come into play. When an offer is made, the seller will have the option of accepting, rejecting or counter-offering. Your Realtor® will negotiate the best possible terms for you.

Your Realtor® will draft an offer. Although your Realtor® will give you advice and information, it is your decision as to the exact price and terms that you wish to offer.


Your Realtor® is a valuable source of helpful tips for planning and coordinating your move.

Copyright @ 2009 Howard Johnson Realty. All Rights Reserved. Property Information is provided by seller/other sources, and is not verified by Howard Johnson Realty. All interested persons should independently verify accuracy of all information. Privacy Policy

Howard Johnson Realty Unit C9, Ardenne House 11 Ardenne Road, Kingston 10, , P:(876) 978-2195/6

Jamaica Real Estate - Homes and Property for Sale in Jamaica, including Kingston Real Estate, St. Andrew Real Estate, St. James Real Estate, St. Ann Real Estate, Clarendon Real Estate, Hanover Real Estate, Manchester Real Estate, Portland Real Estate, Westmoreland Real Estate, St. Catherine Real Estate, St. Elizabeth Real Estate, St. Mary Real Estate, Trelawny Real Estate, St. Thomas Real Estate. Find Jamaican Real Estate Agents and Offices, Home Values, Mortgage Information, Rentals, Land, Commerical Property and much more at Howard Johnson Realty.

e-PRO®realtorsjamaica.comNational Association of Realtors®