What are the steps of buying a home?

It's a waste of time and energy to look at homes that are outside of the budget, so prequalification is the first step for any home buyer. If you choose to work with Nesbitt Realty here are many of the steps that we'll be taking on the road to home ownership.
Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt is an Accredited Buyer's Agent and Top Producing agent.  Put her experience to work for you.
  1. Tour properties --- We'll take a top level tour of some of the properties that are in your budget. This gives the client something concrete and real to think about so that you can decide whether this home ownership thing is for you or not. It also gives us a chance to see which properties most interest you so that we can rely upon our experience to identify communities and properties you may have overlooked.
  2. Revisiting --- We'll revisit those communities that hold the greatest interest and look at everything available in those communities.
    • A few more choices --- If none of these really feel right, we'll find a few more to consider and continue with the search.
  3. Make an offer --- When we've found the property that stirs the soul, fits the budget and feels right, your agent will prepare an offer. At that time we'll collect earnest money.
    • The earnest money is evidence that the seller is serious about the purchase and is held in escrow until the sale is completed. We'll submit a preapproval letter, a copy of the earnest money deposit and the signed offer for the seller to consider.
  4. Negotiations --- Sometimes there is a difference between the asking price and the selling price. The selling price is determined by negotiation. We'll pass drafts of the contract back and forth until the buyer and seller have agreed on all terms.
  5. Loan processing --- Your loan officer will then collect additional documentation from the you and from your agent. This documentation will serve the purpose of proving the representations made in the loan application process. The buyer will produce pay stubs, bank statements etc. The loan office and agent will also order an appraisal as required by all lenders.
  6. Settlement --- Settlement is the word used to describe the actual transfer of ownership. We'll settle on the property in a timely fashion on an agreed upon date. Settlement will occur at a title company's office and a settlement agent will ensure that funds are present as is marketable title.
  7. Ownership --- Here's where the fun begins ... as does the responsibility of home ownership.

Real Estate for:

The law requires that Realtors
  • Perform essential and customary acts to help out with the purchase or sale of real estate.
  • Properly account for the money or other property put in his or her attention.
  • Reveal any “adverse material facts” which are, or should be the broker’s knowledge.
Realtors can help buyers pre-qualify for mortgages and keep abreast of the newest house listings. They can assist sellers in screening potential buyers and preparing their homes. They are able to demonstrate investors the properties that fit their risk profiles and long term investment strategies. Nesbitt Realty can quickly find the best house for you personally. Our specialists can efficiently organize and coordinate meetings with sellers and potential buyers in {Location_Name}. A Nesbitt Realty Realtor is well acquainted with the affairs you'll need to know about the neighborhood you might be considering:
  • the security of the community,
  • Cost,
  • Metro availability,
  • Nearby parks and sites,
  • Nearby shopping,
  • School quality.
Our agents have immediate access to homes when they are put in the marketplace. Your agent will help structure the deal to save you money, when you’re prepared to make an offer on a home. She or he will describe the benefits and drawbacks of different types of mortgages and guide you through the mounds of paperwork. Email Nesbitt Realty to discuss your choices in {Location_Name}.

Real Estate Photography Tips For Sellers in {Location_Name}

Exterior of House
  • Move cars away from front and / or rear of house and close garage doors.
  • Move trash cans and recycling bins inside or away from house.
  • Remove newspapers from driveway and sweep leaves.
  • Open deck furniture umbrellas, remove grill covers and put any deck cushions on furniture.
  • Hide toys and sporting equipment in garage or storage containers.
Interior of House
  • Turn on all interior lights and open all blinds. Make sure any burned out light bulbs have been replaced.
  • Clean vertical surfaces that reflect light such as mirrors, refrigerators, windows, television screens, etc.
  • Hide all pet beds, toys, bowls, etc. in a closet or storage container.
  • Remove items other than non-religious framed art or decor hanging from walls.
  • Keep in mind that items being moved from room to room will show in photos of other rooms, so please hide items in closets and / or storage areas that will not be photographed
Kitchen
  • Clear off countertops
  • Remove hanging dish towels and small area rugs.
  • Hide garbage can along with pet food bowls, mats and other items.
Bedroom
  • Make beds and be sure the mattress or any objects under the bed are not showing
  • Hide all personal items such as books, phones, remotes, etc. (Tip: You can hide them under the pillows!)
  • We suggest that personalized decor be removed from children's rooms so their names and pictures don't show in the photos which will go on the internet.
Foyer
  • Make it look as large as p0ssible by removing shoes, coats, throw rugs, etc.
    Fort Hunt real estate agents.
    Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Fort Hunt.
Dining Areas
  • If dining area is small, remove extra leaves from tables to make the room look larger.
  • Show off the woodwork on the table by removing protector, tablecloths or placemats.
  • Remove extra dining chairs from the room so it doesn't look overcrowded and smaller than it really is.
Living Areas
  • Keep the floors as clear as possible to emphasize the beauty of any wood floors
  • Make sure all televisions and computer monitors are turned off, and if portable hide from view
  • Clear surfaces such as end tables and coffee tables of items that are not decorative, and hide all magazines, books, remotes,  tissue boxes, etc.
Bathrooms / Powder Rooms
  • Wash all mirrors. Even the smallest splatter mark is magnified in photos.
  • Hide the trash can, toilet brush, bathmats and plunger.
  • Remove family bath and hand towels. (Tip: Don't forget to remove the robe hanging on the back of the door.) You can keep a clean decorative / nice towels hung neatly.
  • Remove All toiletries from the counter and the shower/tub area, such as shampoo bottles, razors, toothbrushes, etc.
  • Make sure the toilet paper roll isn't empty or hanging down off the roll.
 
Our agents at Nesbitt Realty are people-pleasers. That is to say, we like making our clients happy.  We enjoy saying "yes" and we like solving problems.  At the same time our role as property managers requires that we maintain a strict adherence to the lease, the law and other requirements. One of the great challenges of property management is informing tenants (and sometimes landlords) the normal practices of property management in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Fortunately, because we have years of experience in the field of property management, we're able to overcome many problems by avoiding pitfalls before they become problems. Learn more about our services Our agents have the experience and local knowledge to find your dream home.
Finding the Perfect Rental Property in {Location_Name} Every person may be defined as an individual, and as such we all have different wants and needs. This applies to all aspects of our lives but may be particularly frustrating while searching for a home. In the rental market, it is clear that one size does not fit all and being able to find the perfect property poses a serious challenge. Adding to the challenge is the fact that occupancy rates and rents in desirable areas may be high, and it is often difficult to find a property that suits both your budget and your requirements. Even in areas where there are more available properties it might still be difficult to find something that ticks all the boxes. Here are a few tips to take some of the stress out of the search: Know Your Needs You, as a potential renter in {Location_Name}, should be well-aware of your needs.  Some people are simply looking for a place to eat, sleep and shower while others are looking for a lifestyle or a space that will accommodate various activities, such as working, entertaining and hobbies. Think about what the space needs to do for you and make a list of your specific requirements. For example, do you need built in kitchen appliances? Is a washer and dryer essential or is there a laundry nearby? Do you need easy access to the metro or do you need parking for a car? These are questions only you can answer. After you have answered these questions the best you can, you need to consider the all-important budget. What will your money get you and what are you prepared to sacrifice to stay within budget? Remember when you assess your requirements to differentiate between wants and needs because, unfortunately, you will most likely have to make a compromise somewhere. Your needs are the things you cannot survive without and your wants are those little extras that make your life more comfortable but are not essential. Take your list of requirements and mark your wants and needs in different colors and then rank them in order of importance. Remember your needs are always more important than your wants.

Use Our Tools

Once you know what you need and you have a good idea of the basic features you are looking for in {Location_Name}, it is then time to turn to our website. The website is designed to give you a good idea of the cost and type of properties available in Northern Virginia and help you identify potential rental properties.  This should hopefully take the frustration out of the search by enabling you to eliminate properties that do not meet your needs or budget.

Get Our Recommendations

Rental Agents cannot tell you what you need or which property to choose but they can give you invaluable advice. Once you have identified your requirements, contact our Rental Agents to help you find the right property. Clearly explain to the agent what you are searching for. Our agents know the area and the market; and if they know what you are looking for, they can probably take you directly to a property that ticks all the right boxes. [Read more about rental agents.]

703 765 0300

 

Julie Nesbitt

View posts by Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt is an ABR who has served buyers in some of Alexandria’s most exclusive neighborhoods.  She is a top producing agent who has listed and sold property in Northern Virginia. In addition to helping folks buy, sell and rent property in Northern Virginia, Julie is the primary administrator of the property management services performed by Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. Call Julie at (703)765-0300.