FIRM FOUNDATIONS REALTY

The home buying process has the potential for one of the most stressful life experiences you might ever have!  Buying a home is a major money transaction and can be stressful, just as moving or any big life commitment.  But even in this crazy economy where distressed properties are everywhere, there are people just as distressed over making a decision as to buying NOW. However, it is possible to maintain your sanity in the midst of a real estate deal - at least when you use a Realtor that is putting your interests first.

At Firm Foundations Realty, we take the time to educate you for the whole process. After all, I have been doing this for 11 years, full time, so I know how to prepare you for an important decision. We have to look at reality as much as some would like to just toss reality to the wind  in place of a 'want'!

Nothing can de-stress more than -  being prepared. No need to scramble for things that the lender needs right up front, we can get you all ready so that when you do pick the right lender you will have everything ready.  If you wait until you have an offer in and go through the negotiation process and THEN contact a lender you will have the tendency to feel like everything they are asking for is a ransom demand! In reality they do need proof of certain things to give you a loan.
Having a good idea of what all the costs are help you to know upfront what to expect. Knowing what kinds of loans are out there and what they actually cost is important too, not just the closing cost at the end. While house hunting, interest rates may change, and that shouldn't be a surprise blow to you, when you work with a Realtor that is putting your best interest first. And no last minute surprises should come on home owners insurance either! How many stories I've heard of people who got right to the end and then couldn't even close because they weren't told everything. How sad is that!
Buyers find they need documents that they thought had nothing to do with buying a home, but I call that an agent that wasn't thinking straight when a buyer is surprised like that. I guess some agents just like short cutting their time and leave that to the buyer!

The process sure can be time consuming, but you can avoid a roller coaster ride if you deal with a Realtor that cares about your well being and not just getting a paycheck. Time lines have to be kept or you can loose the deal - legally speaking! When it comes to buying a home, realistic expectations will set you free.  Stress-free, that is IF you choose the right Realtor to work with.

Can you imagine finding a home you fell in love with, negotiating the offer out, getting your inspection done AND your appraisal and then it fall through because you were not told that doing a certain thing could mess up your loan? That can happen! That's why it is so very important to choose a Buyer Agent that WILL take care of DETAILS for you. Did you know that it doesn't matter who has the property listed, you have the right in Illinois to choose ANYONE that has a license to be the one to show you properties and represent your purchase? Lots of people think they have to call the office that has the sign in the yard, but that is not true. As a buyer you can have anyone show you the house!  Now, granted some offices do not like to show other offices listings so they won't even tell you what is available in your price range unless it is with their office. NOT SO with Firm Foundations Realty. When we work for the buyer we find everything out there that meets their needs. After all, we are supposed to be putting your needs first! Think about it BEFORE you call someone to show you a property! Call someone who cares about your needs, not just a paycheck!

~Brenda

 
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