803-526-1101

803-831-5517

jennifer@jenniferdouse.com

... or you are buying your tenth home, finding and financing your new home is an exciting, although sometimes scary, experience.  I'll guide you every step of the way, helping you to stay focused on what you really need, listening carefully to your concerns, answering all your questions, and making sure that the road to the final closing is an enjoyable journey for you and your family.

     I will give you plenty of concrete information about the neighborhoods that interest you ... from the percentage that housing values appreciated last year to the quality of the schools and the proximity of churches, shopping areas, medical facilities and recreational outlets.   And I can help you help prevent the experience from becoming overwhelming or even disappointing. 

     Before you start searching, the first question you'll want answered is: 

     You can find out the answer to this as well as enhance your buying power by getting Pre-Approved or Pre-Qualified. What's the difference? 

Pre-Qualification is an informal discussion between you and the lender. The lender estimates the amount that you can borrow based solely on what you tell them about your income and assets.  The information you give the lender is not verified by them and therefore, there is no guarantee that you will be approved by them for the loan amount.  However, it will give you and your realtor a good idea of what your general price range probably is.

Pre-Approval requires that the lender verify your financial information and serves as a commitment to lend a specified amount based on that verified information. This gives you significant buying power with a seller who recognizes that you will be approved for a loan.  If a seller knows that your financing is secure, your offer is stronger.

To get an estimate of what your monthly mortgage payments would be based on sales price, down-payment, interest rate and term length, try this mortgage calculator.

Here are some articles that you may find helpful as you start to think seriously about buying a new home ...

•  Resale Homes
•  New Homes
•  Good Neighborhoods
•  Making An Offer
•  Mortgage Payments
•  Closing Costs
 

It used to be that when a realtor would work with a buyer, that the buyer automatically assumed that the agent was working in his or her best interests. In the course of looking at homes together, agent and buyer would spend hours, weeks and sometimes even months working together, usually giving the buyer the impression that the agent was working solely on his or her behalf.  In the course of all this time together, confidential information regarding the buyer's private finances, family matters and more would often be disclosed.

The truth, however, was that until recently, the buyer rarely knew that, by law, the agent always automatically represents the SELLER in any transaction.  Theoretically, the agent was obligated to share any useful information learned from the buyer to the SELLER and to negotiate in the SELLER'S best interests. 

But now, with the Buyer Agency relationship, an agent is required by law to disclose to a customer that he or she works for the SELLER, unless and until the buyer agrees to have that agent represent them.  It is highly recommended that you and I sign a written buyer's representation agreement.   In this contract, I agree to represent ONLY your interests, and I’m forbidden from disclosing any information about you to the seller or anyone else.  Also, I’m not allowed to submit an offer from a buyer without first having a signed Buyer Agency Agreement with them.

By being your Buyer’s Agent, I will be able to represent only your interests.  My knowledge of the market on top of my negotiating skills will help save you time and money when purchasing the home of your dreams.  I will listen carefully to find out what is important for you and your family.  Most important is my expertise in the contract-to-close timeline where I will coordinate inspections, financing, repairs, appraisals and surveys.

If you would like to contact me for help with your buying needs, please feel free to call me at 803-526-1101.  Or you can give me a little information about yourself by filling in and sending me the form below, and I'll get back to you promptly.

Your information is kept completely private by me and
will never be shared with or sold to any third-parties.