Buyers
Deciding to buy a home is a huge step.
Once you’ve made the decision to start looking for a new home, you want to find a Realtor who will do more than just unlock doors for you. Because anyone can do that.
You want someone who will be your guide.
Someone with years of experience who can help you uncover your wants and needs before you start looking, and who brings a critical eye when you’re touring homes.
Someone who is a trained negotiator and has a team of lenders, inspectors, and contractors to get you seamlessly from start to finish.
Someone who is a great communicator and is detail-oriented, but who also knows how to make the home buying process fun.
Someone who truly cares about you.
You want Corey Liepelt.
What to Expect When Buying with Corey
The Purchasing Pathway
Buying a home follows a step-by-step process. Here’s what to expect, from the initial consultation all the way through closing on your home.
Initial Appointment
The purpose of the initial appointment is to understand your “needs and wants” as a buyer. This may be the most critical meeting of the home buying process. During this appointment, the entire purchasing pathway will be discussed.
Determine Your Purchase Parameters
There are three criteria every buyer uses to find their home: location, price and style/condition. These criteria, along with your “needs and wants,” will determine the properties we search for and the homes we initially view.
Secure a Pre-approval
Having a pre-approval greatly enhances your negotiating position, especially in a competitive market, which is why a pre-approval is a must before starting to view homes. Wise buyers discuss their financial situation with a reputable lender and secure a pre-approval. A good lender will help you to understand what you qualify for, what you can afford (because often they aren’t the same number), and how different variables like the down payment amount, interest rate, etc. ultimately affect your purchasing power. And Corey knows some of the best lenders in Columbus!
View Homes
The process of viewing homes provides you with information in order to make the best decision possible. Helping you find a home is a process of elimination; not a process of selection. We’ll cast a very wide net in our search to make sure you don’t miss anything. Corey encourages buyers to drive through neighborhoods they’re considering to really get a feel for them. Then we’ll go look at homes in person. Some may be very nice, while others may be disappointing in person, but it’s all part of the process. Viewing homes you don’t like is not a waste of time; it helps build a frame of reference to help you find what you do like.
Write the Contract
Once we find a home you would like to buy, Corey will call the listing agent to get as much information as possible, then we’ll work together to determine your offer price and other terms of the contract to make the most attractive offer possible. Corey will give you a blank copy of the purchase contract to review in step 1, which will make you much more comfortable when it’s time to write the contract.
Deposit Earnest Money
After the contract is fully accepted and all terms are agreed upon, you will be “in contract.” Within a few days of going into contract, you’ll need to submit an earnest money deposit (usually amounting to about 1% of the purchase price). An earnest money deposit communicates to the seller that you’re serious about purchasing their property. Earnest money is kept safe in a trust account until it’s time to close the purchase, at which time those funds are applied toward your cash required to close.
Perform Home Inspections
The other thing we’ll do as soon as you’re in contract is to schedule a home inspection (and a few other inspections), if the contract allows. The inspections will allow you and the inspectors you hire to take a more thorough look at the property. These inspections will give you a far greater understanding of the property you are purchasing.
Final Walkthrough
After the mortgage has been approved, a final walk-through is encouraged. On the final walk-through, you will re-inspect the property to ensure it is in an acceptable condition and that any personal property conveying is present.
Execute Closing Documents
Once the contract is accepted, inspections are performed, and the mortgage is approved, the closing will be set with the title company. It’s time to limber up your writing hand, because you’ll have several documents to sign. But it’s all worth it, because when you’re done signing, the last step is…
Home Delivery
Once closing is complete, Corey will hand you the keys, garage door openers, and any documents/warranties that convey with the property. Congratulations, you just bought a house! It’s time to move in!
