Buyers are you aware of the complete home buying process? It is far more than just finding a property and making an offer.  Here are the steps to help you understand the full process:

Consultation with Karen to analyze needs, establish working relationship, talk about financial aspects and make recommendations for lender input into process.

Meet with lender to determine your financial qualfications,  get pre-approval letter that  Karen needs for offer writing.

Select properties - have Karen set you up with an automated system that will pull listings in your price range and area you have specified. Do your own drive-by of the preferred properties to see if it has potential for your needs. Talk with Karen to set up appointments for viewing selected properties.

View properties

Write an offer to purchase contract, bring checkbook for earnest money.

Earnest money is deposited within 24 hours of acceptance of offer.

Disucss any counter offers and/or contingencies.

Acceptance of contract - Karen arranges with her virtual transaction coordinator to set up the file in Settlement Room, an internet based system that will allow us to upload all the pertinent documents of the  transaction. This system will give you, your lender, the title officer, the escrow officer and other Realtor a password so that you will have 24/7 access to your file and what is currently happening.

Karen arranges for inspection and opens property and remains for the full inspection. Then prepares the report to be presented to seller for any issues that have arisen as a result of the inspection. Karen negotiates the items in relationship to the offer price for a remedy from the seller.

Appraisal - make sure that lender orders appraisal in a timely manne.

Underwriting - talk with lender to make sure all documentation is in so file can be underwritten.

Conditions - talk with lender to determine "loan conditions" and make sure that they are completed as soon as possible so documents can be sent to escrow.

Title company - Karen talks with the title officer to determine clear title to property.

Escrow company - Karen talks with the escrow officer to make sure they are getting documents in a timely manner from lender to prepare for signing.

Karen arranges a signing time for her Buyer/Seller two days in advance of closing.

Documents are signed and returned to lender for 24 hour review (unless lender is a "table funder").

Day of closing, documents are recorded at the court house and recording numbers are received. Loans are paid off and you receive a key.

Wow, I bet you didn't realize all that was involved in this process.  Should you require further information regarding the buyer and/or selling process, don't hesitate to contact me, Karen Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO Internet Certified, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, 425-308-3669 and don't forget to visit my website for more complete real estate information.