BUYERS:

The trademark of REALTY EXECUTIVES WEIS REAL ESTATE is a unique TEAM concept that provides exceptional levels of personalized client service, based on honesty and integrity, resulting  in strong client satisfaction and real estate success. Working as a TEAM, there is never a time when the needs of any client will not be managed by a knowledgeable professional from the WEIS TREAM. Their priority is addressing all client needs promptly and professionally.

REALTY EXECUTIVES WEIS TEAM members are trained experts in their field. They know the area well; they have strong negotiation skills; and they are committed to providing outstanding client service. They are a TEAM in the truest sense of the term, in that all client transactions are serviced by the entire TEAM, with TEAM members sharing compensation on all closings.  The system benefits all parties involved, especially the CLIENT, who receives the advantage of a skilled Team of Professionals available at all times to service the Client's real estate needs.

The TEAM concept offers you many benefits as a Buyer Client. A REALTY EXECUTIVES TEAM member, with whom you feel comfortable, will listen carefully to your real estate needs and consult with you in establishing goals and priorities that are compatible with your personal preferences and financial qualification. They will take into careful consideration the needs of your family and work diligently to save you time and money in finding the best property value at your preferred location within your established time-frame. They will work on your behalf with local lenders to arrange best terms and rates to save you countless dollars over the life of the loan, as well as upfront out-of-pocket closing costs.

The REALTY EXECUTIVE will provide educational materials and professional guidance regarding customs, laws, and regulations that affect the real estate buying and selling process. Early in the process, you will receive a Client list of qualified local service-providers that includes appraisers, contractors, engineers, inspectors, lenders, surveyors, and title companies, among others. An additional benefit is that a WEIS TEAM MEMBER is present during all inspections for our Buyer Clients, many of whom are unavailable to attend. We also assist you in the process of inspection negotiations and the resolution of all transaction details. 

Based on your established critera, the REALTY EXECUTIVES WEIS TEAM will provide you expert professional advice every step of the way. As a REALTY EXECUTIVES client, you can expect expert professional counsel regarding the contractual obligations of a real estate transaction, as well as options available to you. Like others who have written their thanks, we hope you will find this your best real estate transaction ever. You are invited to Click on "TESTIMONIALS" to share the letters of client satisfaction that have resulted from the WEIS TEAM adherence to professional standards, skill in negotiation, and successful closed transactions.

 The REALTY EXECUTIVES WEIS REAL ESTATE is supervised by a Broker-Owner with outstanding professional credentials, exceptional sales success, high professional standards, and strong presence in community leadership. The REALTY EXECUTIVES BUYER AGENT TEAM is actively managed by a highly successful Executive Selling Broker and an Executive Escrow Broker with twenty years' successful real estate administration. They work closely with TEAM MEMBERS to confirm that realistic goals and consistent follow-through occur in the purchase transaction process. 

Now it's time to introduce you to the HOME-BUYING PROCESS and the personalized professional services provided by the REALTY EXECUTIVES WEIS TEAM.  To learn what sets the WEIS TEAM apart from other real estate professionals, please Click on “ABOUT”.  To read what clients have to say about their satisfaction with the services of the  REATLY EXECUTIVES WEIS TEAM, please Click “TESTIMONIALS”.  To learn more about the HOME-BUYING PROCESS, please choose a link from the list below, or follow them step by step.

If you have questions or problems with the web-site, please call us at 800-593-3250 or 785-539-9333.  Thank you.

Getting Ready to Buy

• Finding a Realtor
• Starting the Loan Process
• Starting Your Search
• Finding Your New Home
• Making an Offer on a Home
• Financing
• Insurance
• Closing Procedures
• Settling In

#1 Getting Ready To Buy
So, you are ready to build the “American Dream?” Preparing to buy a home can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. Luckily, a Realty Executives Weis Real Estate agent can lead you in the right direction toward the home for your dreams. You first may want to ask yourself:

• What are you looking for in a new home?
• Do you have enough money to purchase a new home?
• How does your credit look?

You may want to make a list or brainstorm about the features and amenities that you find most appealing in a new home.

#2 Finding a Realtor
Before you choose a real estate agent, it is important to do your homework on the real estate companies in your area.

1. Search the Internet for your local real estate companies.
2. Review local publications for agent advertisements.
3. Call each company to compare commission fees, marketing campaigns and yearly sales volume.
4. Talk to people. 9 times out of 10, someone you know has sold their home and can point you in the right direction and provide a credible recommendation.

When choosing a real estate agent, do not be afraid to meet with many different agents. After all, they are competing for your business and this is what makes the real estate industry successful.

Feel free to ask them the following questions:

• How many years of experience do you have in this industry?
• What is your selling experience in my community?
• What professional certifications do you hold (ex. Certified Residential Specialist–CRS)?
• What services will you provide for me as my agent?
• How will you represent me as a buyer?
• Can you provide as much information as I need about homes in the area that fit into my price range?
• What is the fee for your services?
• Can you provide all of the different scenarios with the sale of property I may purchase? (as far as commissions and fees)
• Explain the paperwork that I need to sign
• What is my contracted timeframe for using you as my agent?

Once you have chosen an agent, it is important to establish specific goals that you would like to meet. It is very important to communicate with your real estate agent and that, in turn, your real estate agent communicates with you.

#3 Starting the Loan Process
It is important as a buyer that you establish some kind of financing before you make any kind of serious offer. The “pre–approval” process allows lenders to take a look at your finances and credit history in order to make a general assumption about your loan amount.

The pre–approval process is when a lender looks at all of your finances and determines the amount of money you could afford for a mortgage.

In order to get pre-approved for a loan, you need to contact a lender. Your Realty Executives Weis Real Estate agent can help you help you find a lender that you feel comfortable with and that offers programs best suited to your needs.

#4 Starting Your Search
Now, it is time to start the exciting search for homes! You may want to narrow down your search by asking yourself the following questions:

• Where do I want to live?
• What is the neighborhood like?
• What is the crime rate?
• Would I be moving into a good school district?
• Are there any zoning restrictions?
• How far is this home from my job?
• What is my price range?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I want?
• What style of house are you attracted to?
• What amenities do you desire (ex. pool, fenced-in yard, etc.)?
• Does this home have potential to increase in value?
• Is there room to expand if we would like to build an addition?

Searching for a home is becoming easier than years ago. We now have the Internet as a powerful “home finding tool”, as well as the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and print advertising.

#5 Finding Your New Home
Beginning the search for your new home can be a great feeling. It is important that you directly communicate what you desire in a home to your real estate agent.

You may want to first begin by making a list of the features and benefits that are most important in your pursuit of finding a home. These could be:

• Location
• Affordability
• Size
• Style
• Design
• Amenities

Looking for a home in an area where you feel comfortable is key. Instruct your real estate agent to look in specific areas that you have designated.

#6 Making an Offer on a Home
Selecting a home should be relatively easy once a home falls somewhere in your criteria and the property is desirable for purchase.

You will want to inform your real estate agent what you like about the house and make a list of your likes and dislikes with the property.

There are three steps in selecting a home: accept the seller's asking price and have your agent write up the contract, reject the seller's asking price and have your agent make a different offer, or agree to different terms and have your agent write an offer. This is all a part of the negotiation process.

Communicating about the house and how it makes you feel is important when making this decision. It is also important to be realistic when it comes to how much you can afford when selecting “your” home.

#7 Financing
Doing you homework about loans will save you time and money. There are thousands of loans out there to choose from, but it is important to keep in mind several key factors that will help you along the way:

• How much money should I put down?
• How is your credit?
• Is this your first home?

Receiving a loan requires completion of a loan application and specific financial documents, including pay stubs, rental checks and/or tax returns. You can receive a loan from a number of different financial institutions, namely: commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks and insurance companies.

#8 Insurance
Insuring your home is like making an investment in your future. You work hard to have a home and homeowners insurance protects you and your family from someone or something from taking it all away.

There are many different forms of insurance:

• Title Insurance – which protects you in the event that the title on your property has a lien, unpaid taxes, or other legalities that would make it invalid.
• Homeowners' Insurance – which protects your home from fire, theft and other liable coverage.
• Flood Insurance – which protects your home from flood damage.
• Home Warranty – which offers buyers and sellers the piece of mind that should anything unexpected happen (due to normal, every day wear and tear) of the home's appliances, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, it will be repaired (or replaced in some cases) for you without costly fees.

#9 Closing Procedures
The closing process is always changing. It is even referred to “settlement” or “escrow” in different parts of the county. With increased technology, most closings are completely automated and both parties do not have to be present at the same time to sign.

Closings usually take about 30 days to complete. This mainly depends on the buyer's financing availability, successful home inspection completion, and various lender conditions (ex. title search, title insurance, termite inspections, surveys and appraisals).

The closing process is the transfer of the title of the property from the buyer to the seller. The buyer will receive the keys to the home or the deed to the land, while the seller receives payment for the property. The amount the seller receives is based upon the amount that is still owed on the mortgage, any outstanding fees or taxes and any additional closing costs. All legal papers are filed with the local record office.

It is this step where the buyers and sellers do very little. It is important as the seller to take a final walk through the property to make sure the property's condition as not changed. It is equally important for both the buyer and seller to make sure the paperwork they are signing reflects the agreement of the original sale.

#10 Settling In
You have unpacked boxes, arranged your furniture and feel complete with your moving task. What's next? There is always an adjustment period when you move. It is important to understand that what you, your spouse and/or children may be feeling is completely normal.

Here is a list of a few things that may help:

• Urge everyone to talk about how they are feeling.
• It is important to get outside and tour the neighborhood or take a drive and visit some new places around the community.
• E-mail old friends and neighbors to let them know about your new home and community.
• Start a list about what they like about:
  • Home
  • School
  • Neighborhood
  • Community
  • Church
  • Friends
  • Teachers